close your body by command to Distance to action let every Captain or chief Officer Command his Souldiers to streighten their Files and to even their Ranks In the next place to be silent that thereby they may be attentive to the words of Command Which for the several distances are as followeth Commands 1. Files to your close Order 2. Ranks to your close Order there might be abreviated into a shorter method but my intents is for plain capacities 1. Files open to the right 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 2. Ranks open forward 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your close Order 3. Files open to the Left 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 4. Ranks open to the reer or backwards 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 5. Files open to the right and left 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 6. Ranks open to the right and left 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance Reducements 1. Files close to the right 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 2. Ranks open forward 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 3. Files close to the left 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 4. Ranks close to the reer c. 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 5. Files close to the right and left inward or to the midst 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 6. Ranks close to the right and left inward 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order These are useful and may be used at the discretion of the Commander And for your better performance in the closing and opening of Files and Ranks take these following Observations 1. When Files open to the right the left hand File must stand fast every File taking his distance from the File next his left hand 2. When they open to the left the right hand File stands fast c. 3. When Ranks open forward the last rank stands every rank taking his distance from the rank next behind him 4. When they open backward or to the reer the first rank stands c. 5. When Files close to the right the right hand file stands the rest close to the right taking their distance from the right hand file 6. And if Files close to the left the left hand file stands the rest of the Files close to the left and take their distance c. 7. When Files close to the right and left then they close inward taking their distance from those Files within them nearest to the midst of the Body 8. When files close to the right and left by Division it must be outwards according to the fift and sixt observation 9. When Ranks close to the front and reer then the first and last Ranks stand the other taking their distance 10. If Ranks close to the midst then they close towards their two midlemost Ranks I have not used the word Center in any of these Commands because it is conceived that the word is more proper to a circle and not to a square or a broader fronted body It is not of absolute necessity that a Commander in the exercise of a private Company shall use all these openings and closings to those several distances mentioned but so many of them as may be thought fit for his present Exercise intended although it cannot be denied but that they may be useful at some time or other CHAP. VI. Of Marching and Drawing up of a Company THe Souldier being informed of the Dignity of Place together with the several Beats of the Drum and their respective distances I shall march a Company of Foot and draw them up which Company shall consist of twelve Files four Files of Pikes and eight Files of Musqueteers But the Deputy Lieutenants for the County of Sommerset have allotted some files more to each Company and it is a rare thing to have them compleat in the Field so that it hath been too apparent because there hath not been an equality in Files their Companies have been wholly unfit for Exercise but I hope these errors will be better looked into and amended hereafter A Company marching A Company drawing up Files are to be at their Order and Ranks at their open Order When the Company is drawing up the Drum is to beat a Troop the Pikes to be advanced the Musquets to be poised and being in a Body are ready for Command A Company drawn up A number of Men being thus drawn up and completed consisting of Pikes and Musquets there is in them according to the rules of Art a Front a Reer a right and left Flank Front half files Reer half files Right half ranks and left half ranks there is the length and depth of the Battel and these are extended in their number of men The front in this Figure is first of all to be taken notice of There are in all exercises a proper Front and an accidental Front the Company being drawn up and standing in a body with faces to their leader maketh a proper Front Vide Chap. of facings And the accidental front is as the Cheifetains shall command the face of the whole body In short the front is where the faces of the Company are directed one way The first Rank or row of men they are termed File leaders who have the command of their respective Files and are to Exercise them severally Observe that from and with the right hand file leader to and with the left hand file leader is the extent of the Front and is termed the length of the Battel And the Souldiers standing severally from and with their File leaders in a sequence to and with their Bringers up are termed Files or the depth of the Battel The Reer of the body is so termed where ever the back of the Company are turned Every File leader hath his bringer up that by death or other absence next in point of honour is to succeed them both in Place and power The extent and length of the Reer last rank or bringers up is the same with the Frontiers The right and left Flanks are the outmost Files upon either hand of the body from the Front to the bringers up There is in a body drawn up front half files and Reer half files the Front half files extend themselves three in depth to and with the third Rank and the Reer half files is the fourth Rank to and with the last both which have their extents divided in the whole length and depth of the body Half Ranks are from the midst of the Files so taking their length or bounds to the outmost man or file
leader either upon the right or left hand CHAP. VI. Of Facings SOme have thought that Facings are but of little use so that a commander might dispence with the Exercise thereof There being a mistake in such I must declare That facings are very necessary and of such excellent use as in no wise to be neglected for in service their executions are quicker than other motions and may be performed when other commands cannot be used both for time and place The Body being faced or the faces of the Body is termed an aspect and being particularly turned by command maketh an accidental front which is called a facing So that in short facing is the turning and altering of the aspect to either hand Front or Reer as may appear in the several commands following In which we must understand that facings are either Intire or Divisional There are Angular facings also 1. Intire Facing is when the aspect of the company is directed one way There are four intire facings besides Angular Command Face to the 1. Right Each man is to turn upon that foot to which hand the facing is commanded wheeling the Body to that Aspect When you face to any hand you may reduce them to the contrary 2. Left 3. Right about 4. Left about To reduce them Command As you were or To your Leader Angular facings are when directed to make their Aspects to the right or left corner men that is to the right or left Angle And so if you command to the four corners it is to face them to their four Angles which is Divisional Command Face to the Right Left Angle To reduce them Command As you were or To your leader These Angular facings are not so much in use as formerly Divisional facings are contrary to the Intire for they look divers wayes Which are Command Face to the 1. Right and left 2. Right and left inward 3. Four Angles To reduce them As you were or To your leader It is necessary that the half files doe many of these commands by themselves that they may the better understand it when the body shall come to be subdivided For Angular facings they are out of use or not so much in use as formerly By most Authors facings are to be performed at open order both in Rank and File But it is also necessary to exercise the Souldier in these facings at close Order for if a Souldier should be assaulted in a straight or narrow passage that he hath neither time nor ground to receive it either by doublings Counter-marches or wheelings they stand at their Order or close Order may then by their particular facings defend themselves against any such assault and with wore ease so charge their Enemy by some of these facings than by any other motion Facings are not to be slighted but carefully to be observed and practised they are the ground-work of Military discipline for all motions have relation in one respect or another to them There are two facings square as followeth set down in their platformes See Barrife Ward c. because they are not only useful but may serve as demonstrations of the former Command The two first Ranks stand the two last Ranks face about the rest of the body face to the right and left and march all To reduce them Command 1. Face about to the right march and close your Divisions 2. Face to your leader who standeth at his proper front Figure 2. Command 1. Musquetteers face to the right and left 2. Half Files of Pikes face about to the right 3. March all To reduce them Command 1. Face all about to the right march and close your divisions 2. Face all to your Leader By this little you may perceive much of the Nature of Facings and how useful they are towards the making of the Souldier apt and perfect in other motions I shall proceed to the Nature of doublings with the several branches or parts of them CHAP. VII Of Doublings IT is allowed by the Judicious that they are most necessary and completely useful for the strengthening any part of the Battle as occasion and discretion shall command All which consist in these two Generals 1. Doublings of Length 2. Doublings of Depth All times in quantity of Number sometimes in Number and place The several sorts of doublings are as followeth 1. Of ranks 2. Of half files 3. Of bringers up 4. Of the reer 5. Of files 6. Of half ranks 1. The doubling of Ranks is when every Rank double the odd 2. Half Files are said to be doubled when they shall double their Ranks into the Front 3. Bringers up are said to be doubled when they shall double their Ranks into the Front 4. The doubling of the Reer is when the Front half file doubles the Reer 5. The doubling of files is when even files double the odd 6. The doubling of half ranks is when one rank shall double the other And that is performed by Passing through Countermarches Intire or divisional doublings The doubling of Ranks half files or bringers up into the Front is a doubling of quantity or number and not of place But the doubling of ranks intire or for to double the front by half files intire either to the right or left or by Division It makes not only a doubling in quantity and of place but lengthens the battle also The doubling of files and half files or half ranks or doubling to either flank is a doubling in quantity and not of place But the doubling of files and right half ranks intire and the depth of the left flank intire is not only a doubling of number but of place and depth of the battle Observe that all divisional doublings are to be at open Order both in Rank and File Observe that in all motions they must be performed in three steps and first by stepping forth of that foot which is next to the place named And for reducement to return by the contrary hand Observe that in doubling of Ranks the doubling of Files reduceth them so in the doubling of Files to any hand the doubling of Ranks to the contrary hand reduceth them also Observe that in all motions of doublings that they who are to double before they move from their places are to Advance and Poyse their Arms and when they have performed their Commands they are immediately to conform to the same posture that those whom they double are in whether it be at shoulder or advance Observe that all intire doublings are to be performed at Order both in Rank and File And in all motions observe your right hand man I shall not only give you the words of command for most particular doublings that may be useful for service with directions for the performance of the same with their reducements And as I have been importuned by some of the Deputy Lieutenants to add to them their several platforms or Figures it is accordingly performed But my chief aim is to demonstrate
in this motion the File leader is first to move unto that hand the Command is given And if six deep the half file leader is to advance the same way To reduce this Command Ranks file or invert to the right Then every File-leader lead up his File and rank to the right OR As you were 2. The uneven parts of Files ranking is when there is such an increase either of two three or more in each Rank so exceeding the Rank before it and these exceedings are termed in Arithmetick A Progressional Increase Or else by the decrease of each Rank following after 2. Command Files rank three first then by increase to the right two in each Division of Musquetteers and Pikes These are termed half Rombes or Wedges For Exercise sake you may make a Wedge or half Rombe of all twelve by 3. Command Files rank first two and by increase two from the whole Body You may alter the mixture of Armes at your discretion 4. Command is in the nature of a Rombe Files rank first two and by increase and decrease two in each Rank Divisionally both of Musquetteers and Pikes The reducement of these three last Commands is Ranks file as you were These Rombes and half Rombes or Wedges were much of use in the Graecian Wars Read the Tact. of Aelian pag. 108. But being not now so much in use I shall not spend much time in them but leave the desirous to the view of Captain Ward 5. Command Files rank to the Right or Left into the Front 6. Command Files rank to the Right or Left by wheeling into the Front I shall demonstrate both in this by Wheeling only observe there must be so much distance between each file as will contain each in rank To perform them Command Files open to the left to your double distance Ranks close forward to your close Order face to the right wheel all to the left until the whole Body be brought into one intire Rank 5. 6. Figure To reduce this Command Face to the Reer then the first six to the right wheel to the right When all have wheeled by sixes to the right then face them to their Leader and close their Files at discretion 7. Command Files rank into the Front and Reer by Division To perform this Command Files open to the left to your order Ranks close forward to your close order Half files face about to the right and face to the left then move all into the Front and Reer and make two intire Ranks When the distance is set Observe that those in motion are to face to the right flank To reduce this Command Front half files face about to the left reer half files face about to the right then wheel all into their respective Files then face them to their Leader and close their files at discretion Here might be inserted for variety and curiosity some more words of Command of Conversion of files ranking into the midst by Countermarches and by Wheelings But by what is demonstrated already you 'l find enough in them and I must look to be censured by some for what is done and conceiving the remainder to be useless I shall omit them to avoid a further censure and proceed to the Conversion of Ranks ranking in equal Parts 1. Conversion of Ranks ranking in equal Parts Observe that in Ranks ranking you may perform it with any number more or less as place and occasion may serve containing in every Rank an equality in Number And it is to be understood after this manner When there is twelve more or less marching a breast and by reason of some narrowness of passage or some other intent the Commander causeth his Souldiers to rank either two three five or seven c. according to the place or occasion 8. Command Ranks rank two to the right To perform this Command The two first in Rank to the right advance forwards the next two of the same Rank in the Reer of them until the first Rank have made six Ranks and in all 36 Ranks To reduce this Command Ranks rank twelve to the left Observe that the first rank stands the rest are to advance two and two until the whole rank of twelve be complete in one rank 9. Command Rank two to the right and left 1. Outward then 2. Inward To perform this outward Command The two outmost men upon the right and left hand advance forwards the next in the same Rank are to follow dividing themselves two to the right hand and two to the left hand so when the Work is finished there will be eighteen Ranks in each Division To reduce this Ranks as you were OR Rank twelve to the right and left inward 2. To perform it Inward Ranks rank two to the right and left inwards Command The two inmost men of the right and left hand in the midst of the Battail advance forwards the next in the same Rank are to follow two from the right hand and two from the left until the Work be finished making eighteen Ranks To reduce this Command Ranks as you were OR Ranks twelve to the right and left outwards I shall demonstrate one Figure of Ranks ranking in unequal parts which is rather to satisfie the curious than of any absolute necessity Vnequal Parts 10. Command Ranks rank 1 3 5 7 9 11. by increase and decrease as they stand in a Body To perform this The right hand man of the first rank march forth then the three next of the same rank follow in the reer of him then five more out of the same rank to make the third and what is wanting in the first rank of the Body to make good the fourth in Figure must be taken out of the second in body and so to proceed in the remainder both for its increase and decrease until your Command be produced To reduce this Command Right hand men rank twelve as you were 11. Command Ranks rank intire to the Right or Left into the Front To perform this Let the first rank stand every rank else face to the right and move away to the right successively placing themselves on the right hand of each rank until they all stand in one intire rank in the Front Figure 11. To reduce this Command Ranks rank as you were OR Ranks rank twelve to the left the second falls into the reer of the first the third into the reer of the second and so all successively until they be reduced 12. Command Ranks rank intire into the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his Right or Left hand man by Countermarch To perform this to the right hand man The first rank stands the rest moves away to the right on the outside of the right hand man The precedent reducement will reduce this OR Ranks rank twelve to the left each placing himself on the outside of his left hand man 13. Command Ranks rank 1. Outward 2. Inward into the Front 1. To
give my judgement with those who do not allow the firings by way of Introduction to be useful in our modern Wars nor are they secure to the Souldier unless when the Commander shall find his Souldiers to be well exercised then amongst other various curiosities these may be performed By the word Introduction is meant a passing through or between and by its motion doth advance and gain ground upon an Enemy 16. Command Make ready to give fire by Introduction Then Command the files of Musquetteers to open by division to their open order and to pass through to the right c. The first rank of each flank presents and gives fire so done they stand and make ready again The second rank so soon as the first have fired passeth through and placeth it self before the first and do their fire and stand also and make ready again The third is to pass forward and stand in rank even with the first and when the second rank hath fired they must step before the second and having fired are to stand and make ready again and thus every rank is to follow his Leader successively until the Bringers up of each Division are to give fire and stand in the Front of all Observe in this firing you may keep your Pikes shouldered still moving slowly forwards if there be no danger of Horse and so keep even with the Front of Musquetteers This done twice over will reduce them A Second way of Introductive firing The first Rank is to fire and stand as in the forementioned Figure then the Bringers-up or last Rank whilst the File-leaders are firing shall march up and place themselves even with the second Rank and when they have fired the Bringers-up are to step before them and immediatly to present and give fire and when the rest have followed their Bringers-up and fired once over be sure that the File-leaders fire twice Both produce the horn battle who ought to be the first and the last and so stand the Pikes are to march up even with the Front of Musquetteers as in the former direction and they are reduced Extraductive 17. Firing There have been in use two Extraductive firings I shall speak but of one which is allowed somewhat useful especially in narrow passages and in case your Enemy be too powerful either in Horse or Foot that then the passage might be filled up with the Pikes but if your Pikes be not sufficient to do it as you will perceive by my Figure then double your Ranks let your Pikes be in such posture and motion accordingly as occasion shall offer it self Command Musquetteers face about to the right and march until you are clear of the Body of Pikes then face inward and close your Divisions for the Pikes command them to double their Ranks to the right Or half Files double their Front to the right To perform this Command The first rank of Musquetteers next after the Pikes face to the right then to march forth file-wise close up by the right flank of Pikes and when the Leader is advanced into the Front of Pikes he is to lead them athwart the whole Front of Pikes after which they are all to stand present and give fire and having fired they are to wheel off to the left and fall into the Reer of Musquetteers and whilst the first Rank is firing the second is to be marching so as to be ready to fall into their Places To reduce them Command the Pikes to advance six foot if they be doubled their Ranks to the right let them now double their Files to the left then Command I could have mentioned a great many more firings to the Front but through my confinement to such a small number of men and not an equality in arms Art compleated cannot be expected from me Must of these firings are solid and serviceable yet it cannot be conceived that three Ranks can make any abidement of Battle for continuance against any Enemy although sometimes they may be forced to be reduced into less Numbers yet by shewing the nature hereof you will be the better able to manage a greater c. CHAP. XIX Of firing in the Front and Reer And Reer alone BEfore I demonstrate the firings in the Reer I thought it fit to give one Figure of firing to the Front and Reer which may serve also for a firing to each Flank when the Commander pleaseth 1. Command Front half Files of Musquetteers march until your Bringers-up be even in breast with the Front of Pikes Reer half Files of Pikes face about to the right Reer half Files of Musquetteers face about to the right and march until the half File-leaders are even in breast with the Bringers up of Pikes For the first firing by this Figure so soon as the Ranks upon each Division have fired they are to wheel off to the right and left and fall into the Reer of their own Divisions And having so fired all over they are to wheel off and place themselves even in breast with the Pikes as now they stand faced then being faced to their Leader they are reduc'd This is not our drift of firing in the Reer but if in a March an Enemy eagerly pursues and assaults then by facing about and firing in the Reer or by Countermarching or Wheeling about and so firing these repulses orderly performed may cause a disorder in the pursuants And it is good sometimes as occasion may offer to keep an Enemy in play whilst he may advantage himself in his Ground either for his Embattlement or Ambushes or for the conveyances of Gunns or other Carriages c. 2. Firing Upon a March the last Rank is to face about and so to give fire wheeling off in File by Division and marching up towards the Front and placing themselves before their File-leaders 1. Observing that they rank even with the second rank of Pikes 2. In the performance of this you will lose one rank in the Front 3. Observe that whilst the rank of Musquetteers are firing in the Reer the next rank although he be marching he ought to be preparing with his cock bent and garded that with his three motions he may next fire so soon as his precedent rank is wheeled off 4. Although you are upon a march yet you are to fall one rank nearer to the Reer that the Body may be preserved intire 5. Observe further in the performance of all this your preparations and firings ought to be at three motions Cock your match Blow your coal Present c. Let the first be with the right leg advancing the second with the left leg advancing bending your cock then a little advancing forward with the right foot to present and give fire Now I give these Reasons for the Observations of some motions in these firings to the Reer because so soon as the Souldier hath fired if the last rank should immediatly face about and present c. there would be a
Carabine 11. Draw forth your scouring stick or Rammer 12. Shorten your Rammer 13. Lade with Bullet and Ramm home 14. With-draw your Rammer or scowring stick 15. Return your scowring stick 16. Recover and rest your Carabine in your bridle hand 17. Fix your Hammer or Steel 18. Free your Cock 19. Present your Carabine In presenting of the Carabine he must rest it upon his bridle Arm placing the butt end to the right side near the shoulder or at length with his right hand 20. Give fire Note That the Carabine is to be fired about twelve foot distance and to be levelled at the knees of your Enemies Horse because that by the strength of the Powder and motion of the Horse your shot may be at Random 21. Drop or let fall your Carabine These Postures may serve for the Harquebuz but observe when at any time you make your Approaches towards an Enemy your Carabine is to be mounted with the butt end on your thigh with your hand above the lock and so when you march through any Town or City otherwise to be dropt Here follow the Commands for the Pistols Postures 1. Vncape your Pistols 2. Draw forth your Pistols This must be performed with the right hand the left Pistol first and then to mount the Muzzel 3. Order your Pistol Rest your Pistol a little in your bridle hand and then immediately take your Pistol near the middle part of it and place the butt end upon your thigh 4. Sink or rest your Pistol in your bridle hand 5. Bend your Cock or draw up your Cock to half bent 6. Secure or Guard your Cock 7. Open your Pan. 8. Prime your Pan. 9. Shut your Pan or order your Hammer or Steel 10. Cast about your Pistols Which is to be done against your left thigh with your muzzel upwards in your bridle hand 11. Gage your Flasks 12. Lade your Pistols with Powder For your more speedy lading of your Pistols there is lately invented a small powder flask with a suitable charge but it is not to be denied but your Cartroaches are very serviceable 13. Draw forth your Rammer 14. Shorten your Rammer 15. Lade with Bullet and ram home 16. With-draw your Rammer 17. Shorten your Rammer 18. Return your Rammer 19. Recover your Pistol 20. Fix or order your Hammer or Steel 21. Free your Cock 22. Bend your Cock at full bent 23. Present your Pistols 24. Give fire In the firing of your Pistols you are not to fire directly forwards to your Enemies horses head but towards the right hand with the lock of the Pistol upwards 25. Return your Pistol c. The Souldier having fired and returned his Pistol if time will permit him so to do he is to take himself to the use of the sword his sword being drawn and placed in his bridle hand near to the hilt of the sword and having received it into his weapon hand for service must place the pummel upon his right thigh and so to raise his point to his mark higher or lower as occasion serveth and therewith to endeavour to disable his Enemy either by cutting his Horses bridle or other his Arms that he serveth in which if discreetly managed will prove perilous to them And further it is very requisite that the Harquebuzier and Carabinier be often exercised to shoot bullets at a mark that in time they may be approved marks-men In order to which they are to take special care not to over-charge their peeces with powder as it is too much an errour in many endeavouring more for a report than for execution Wherefore there ought not to be in proportion for any peece but almost half as much the weight in Powder of the bullet or the Diameter and half of the peece is charge enough And it ought to be the special care of every Commander to see that his Souldiers be served with good powder and well cast bullets and that their bullets be directly fit to their Carabines and Pistols I should now come to shew you what is to be learned by a Souldier for the better demeaning of himself being joyned in a body But shall not in this place shew at large what is meant by a File or Rank half files or half ranks front Read in the exercise of the foot pag. flanks or reer because it will spend too much time and our late unhappy differences have given some light thereunto besides there is so much writ of them in several Treatises of the Infantry that it would be too much trouble here to treat thereupon CHAP. VII Of Distance EVery Troop consisteth of Ranks and Files Note That in drawing up of a Troop it must be performed by files not by Ranks and by squadrons as Chap. 5. In Order to distance I must briefly declare what a File and a Rank is A File is a sequent Number certain See Foot Ch. 3. standing head to crupper in a straight line from the Front to the Reer and according to our Mode of Discipline consisteth of three Persons 1 h 2 h 3 h A Rank is a Row of men uncertain in Number Pouldron to Pouldron even in breast be they more or less according to the quantity of Souldiers as it falls out to make a Rank There are to be observed two sorts of distances or orders in File and Rank Viz. Close Open Order Close Order in Files is three foot or as occasion serveth closing knee to knee Open Order in files is six foot Close Order in Ranks is three foot or as occasion serveth closing to the Horses crupper Open Order in Ranks is six foot And herein you must further know that there is a difference between the manner of taking the distance of the Cavalry and the Infantry In the Foot the distance is taken from the Souldiers body which cannot be understood in this place but only of space of ground between Horse and Horse CHAP. VIII Of Motions There be four kind of Motions Facings Doublings Counter-marches Wheelings BUt some of these being not of use to our present mode of Discipline therefore I shall treat no more of them but what may be useful 1. Facings are used to make the Company perfect and to be suddainly prepared for a Charge on either Flank or Reer With 10. 8. and 6. in depth 2. Doublings There hath been used in the Horse service these following as 1. As to strengthen the Front There were used to strengthen the Flanks 1. Doublings of Ranks 2. Doublings of half Files 3. Doubling of the Front by bringers up 4. Doublings of Files 5. Doublings of half Ranks The three first as to our Mode of Exercise may be wholly laid aside in regard they cannot be performed the Troop being but three in depth It is conceived the other two may be necessary either for Exercise sake or in regard of some suddain Onset on the Flanks thereby to strengthen them but I otherwise think this may be prevented by a speedy wheeling
in the Front and Reer and then of firing by Ranks And first of Files firing in the Front 1. Files firing in the Front The right hand File and the left hand File March some distance before the head of the Troop and Rank themselves to the right and left inward and so Present and Give fire which being performed let them wheel off to the right and left outwards into the Reer of their first Station and so set themselves in their respective places even with the remainder of the Body leaving distance for every Rank to march into his proper place after they have once fired over 2. Files firing in the Reer When they have thus fired they are immediately to fall off to the right and left and March forth into their places As you observe in each firing both the Files do rank themselves and then fire Now a further exercise you may Command for each File to face in opposition and fire each to the other Firing in the Front firing in the Reer I shall now demonstrate one platforme of firing by Rank But in firing by Rank observe the first Rank may advance upon a larg Trot Gallop or Carrere as Command is given between thirty or fourty paces from the Body The first Rank having fired wheels off to the left if occasion will permit and falls into the Reer and immediatly upon the wheeling off of the first Rank the second advanceth according to Command and fireth and so the third You may fire also by divisions which is of singular use in the exercise of Horse either by firing by single divisions both in Front and Reer or in opposition both in Front and Reer also as in firing of the Files before mentioned so that I need not trouble you with any platformes of them After that these firings have been performed and the Souldier is grown expert in the handling of his Arms and well managing of his Horse there is one thing that ought not to be forgot by any Commander which is of most excellent use That is for the Souldier to be well exercised both with his Carabine and Pistol to shoote with Bullet at Marks which if it be not well exercised and taught it will be to little purpose as to the Executive part of this Art So it ought to be the care of every Chief Officer to exercise those Troops under his Command sometimes as occasion may serve in a Regimental way leaving sufficient distances betwen each Troop that each other may be relieved orderly and so to retreat in due order to avoid Confusion CHAP. X. The Conclusion BEfore I conclude these few spent hours about the Exercise of the Horse and that my demonstrating of them but three in depth I hear many brave Souldiers but old ones to make some objections against me As first in medling with that which is of too high a concern for me My answer to that is breifly That those that have writ Books of this Art although they have been gallant Souldiers if they had been in Command now and of late years to have seen what have been performed in the Executive part of the Horse service they would correct their Judgements and amend their Mode of Exercise finding in it much error and serviceable for nought but to prolong Execution as if all experienced genus's in this Art should be tyed up to the Low Country services And what I have done is but my duty if accepted else for my own private use also for my friends and relations that come after me And because there ought to be a great deal of care had in a work of this nature I leave the correction hereof to the better Learned and more Experienced in this Military Art And for the drawing of the Horse but three in File I say If the Grecian Writers were alive and some of our Modern Writers that have Commented upon them and made Collectives out of them which they have published for authentick Maximes in this Art would now much admire to see our Mode of Exercise so changed for the better 64 in a Troop When as our late Cruso in his Military instructions in his platformes of Exercise demonstrates then Eight in depth and Eight in rank And Captain Ward in his Drilling and exercise of Horse is six in File and twenty in Rank Leo Ch. 7. Sect. 81. Ch. 14. Sect. 78. 108 109. and alleadgeth it for the best and is taken out of Polibius General of the Achaeans Horse Leo writeth almost the same That if there be many horse to be exercised they are to be ordered ten in File and if but few no more but five giving this reason That if the Body be but shallow the Body will be so weak that it is subject it self to fraction Then Livie verifieth that of Leo and saith the Souldiers had then Speares of four and twenty foot in Length which was to match the Pikes of the Infantry But in some process of time as History makes it appear the Macedonians found great inconveniency in the length of those Spears and made some of them to be fifteen foot in length and being then at that length determined that five Horse in depth was too many as to be offensive to their Enemies but notwithstanding these results endeavoured to make their Battalias seem to be square and for their better advantage in shew order ten in Rank and five in File to every Troop of Horse And these depths were only in those dayes used when the Horse fought only with Spears and Guns not at all used Now if they had the use of Guns so much as we and should fire in Ranks five six eight or ten in depth and our mode of fighting being but three in File their exercise would be so long in the performance thereof that it would not only be tedious but hazzardous to us for of late years it hath been experienced and seldome known any Troops to stand it out as may be thought that time in competition for victory for we know that the ordering of our Horse in making a large Front as occasion and ground will give leave and thereby over-winging our Enemies Battalia hath proved Victorious And whereas they alleadge when they are six and eight in File they can make their body to shew powerful against their Enemy by commanding them to double their Fronts by their Middle-men or half-file-leaders and can if occasion serve take away a party in the reer and file the Enemy in their Flank or Flanks c. But this I conceive to be dangerous and of ill consequence for when we are settled in Battalia three deep we are then fixed for service and need not be troubled in doubling of the Front thereby we are free from distraction and other disturbances which are most incident by suddain motions to the breaking of Ranks and the like which contrarywise is with us for our fighting is not by wheeling off as formerly but by charging at Pistols
you were From your shoulder charge to the Front Right Left Reer Shoulder as you were 4. Port your Pikes This is useful when the Souldiers are to enter either Gate or Sally-port and it is an ease for the Reer half Files to Port their Pikes when the Front is at their Charge From your Port Comport Cheeke Trail your Pikes Port as you were From your Port charge to the Front Right Left Reer Port as you were 5. Comport your Pikes This is necessary for a Souldier upon his March up a Hill to have his Pike Comported From your Comport Cheek Trail your Pike From your Comport charge to the Front Right Left Reer Comport as you were 6. Cheeke your Pikes This is useful for the Sentinel Posture From your Cheeke Trail your Pikes Cheeke as you were From your Cheeke charge to the Front Right Left Reer Cheeke as you were 7. Trail your Pikes This is useful in a Trench to move for security of any breach undiscovered and is seldom used else but marching through a Wood c. From your Trail charge to the Front Right Left Reer Trail as you were From your Trail Order your Pikes 8 Lay down your Pikes Oberve that if your Pikes be laid down when you begin your exercise then your Command must be 1. Handle 2. Raise your Pike to your Open order Order Close order c. You may observe that the Postures of the Pike some are for conveniency and ease to the Souldier as to expedition either in Marchings or other services commanded and the several charges serve either for defence or offence none ought to slight any of these Commands but to put them into practice for at some one time or other they may be useful Here followeth the Postures of the Musquet or Calliver In which I do affirm that the word of Command generally used Make ready is no Posture but a word for brevity presupposing the Souldier to be expert in all and doth include those postures precedent to that Present your Musquet and so from the Presenting of your Musquets the other postures following unto that Give fire which is the completement of all the rest of the Commands given Therefore for the better handling of Arms no Judicious Practitioner in this Art but will confess it is better to be Instructed from Posture to Posture for more comely and swifter execution thereof The Musquetteer being shouldered Command Snap-haunce Sloop your Musquets Let slip your Musquets 1. Vnshoulder your Musquet and Poyse 2. Palm or rest your Musquet 3. Set the Butt end of your Musquet to the ground 4. Lay down your Musquet 5. Take off your Bandeliers 6. Lay down your Bandeliers 7. Face about to the left march 8. Face about to the right and march to your Arms or stand to your Arms. 9. Take up your Bandeliers 10. Put on your Bandeliers 11. Take up your Musquet 12. Rest or Palm your musquet 13. Secure or Guard your cock 14. Draw back your hammer or steel 15. Clear your pan 16. Prime your pan 17. Put down your steel or hammer 18. Blow or cast off your loose corn 19. Bring or cast your musquet about to your left side Handle your Charger Open your Charger 20. Charge with Powder 21. Draw forth your scowring stick 22. Shorten your scowring stick 23. Charge with Bullet 24. Put your scouring stick into your Musquet 25. Rain home your charge 26. Withdraw your scouring stick 27. Shorten your scouring stick 28. Return your scouring stick 29. Bring forward your Musquet and poise 30. Palm or rest your Musquet 31. Fit your hammer or steel 32. Free your cock 33. Bend your cock 34. Present your Musquet 35. Give fire 36. Palm or rest your Musquet 37. Clear your Pan. 38. Shut your Pan. 39. Poyse your Musquet 40. Shoulder your Musquet Match-lock I need not here insert every Command but only add such as are used for the Match-lock wholly laying aside the rest Take your Match from between the fingers of your left hand Lay down your Match Take up your Match with your right hand Return or place your Match into your left hand Open your Pan. Clear your Pan. Prime your Pan. Shut your Pan. Draw forth your Match Blow your Coal Cock your Match Fit your Match Guard your Pan. Blow the ash from your Coal Open your Pan. Uncock and return your Match So you are ready for a March or in the Posture upon the first motion That which is called the Saluting Posture is to be performed from the resting or palming of the Musquet when he shall have an occasion as a Souldier to salute his Friend or to the honouring of any other person deserving And the Sentinel Posture is for the Musquet to be in the Palm of the left hand at his Resting posture But his Musquet to be charged with Powder and Bullet his Cock freed and to be secured with his Thumb so to be ready to execute his charge and commands given c. There is indeed a word of Command sometimes used Reverse your Musquet which is the marching Funeral Posture That is to put the butt end of your Musquet upwards under your left arm holding it in your left hand about the lock of your Musquet Thus I have finished the Postures of the Musquet or Caliver with a Snap-hance and with a Match-lock without a Rest for your further inquiry if there need be I refer you to Lieutenant Barriffe or Captain Ward If I should forget to say something of the excellency as to the use of the Half-Pike and Musquet that is now of use in the Artillery Garden Half-Pike first invented by Lieutenant Barriffe and Mr John Davis of London whatsoever is performed in the exercise thereof it is with greater ease than the Rest and Musquet is And knowing how far it hath been the care of many Souldiers by invention to make the Musquetteers as well defensive as offensive but none amongst many of their Projects was received like this all falling to the ground and this standing as the best being of most excellent service for it serveth as a Rest as a Pallisado to defend the Musquetteer from the Horse When the shot is all spent they may with that Weapon fall in among the Enemy and in the pursuit of an Enemy by reason of the lightness thereof and their nimbleness in Action may do great execution and in Trenches they are good seconds for the Souldiers preservation Those Souldiers that are thus Armed are the best to be commanded out upon any Party because they are the best able to defend themselves and offend their Enemies And when any hedges are to be lin'd with shot West Country that the Musquetteers by their forced service become silent and the ways deep and narrow then the Half-Pike will be of singular service And last of all the Souldâ—er so marching with his Half-Pike and Musquet It is not only a Grace to the Souldier but a Terrour to the Enemy Besides this hath
Division yet he is there misplaced for by the same rule in the second and third Opinion as you place the Collonel in the Dignity of a file leader the Lieutenant Collonel hath his Dignity in the place of a Bringer up the Major in the place of the half File leader the first Captain in the place of the Bringer up to the Front half-files Thus far all three joyntly go together and because there is no difference in number of men but equal in both parties they need not stand so much upon an equal opposement but that the second Captain Numb 5. may have his just place of honour immediately next unto his Collonel If it were not for this mode of Dignity according unto a File in the marching of a Regiment and so unto a Rank in a Body I might as well and better require satisfaction the number of each Company being equal in Souldiers why there may not be two field officers in the Collonels Division as well as in the Lieutenant Collonels which I leave to better judgments For the proof of my assertion as joyning with Barrife Ward and others in apointing the second Captain whose is the fift place of Honour next to the File leader or next to the Collonels own company both in Rank and File Bar. pa. 17. 1. The File leader ought to be the worthiest because he hath the Command of his File and marcheth first against the Enemie 2. The Bringer up ought to be the second place of Honour because his place of March is in the reer and is in most danger should the Enemie charge on that part 3. The half file leader is the third place of Honour because when the Front half files are taken off upon any occasion he is the leader unless he be commanded to face about 4. The last man or Bringer up of the Front half files is the fourth man in dignity for so he is when the Reer Division is taken of 5. The next man to the File leader hath the fift place of honour for one doubling brings him into the Front 6. The sixt place of Honour is before the Bringer up for if the Body be faced about one doubling brings him into that accidental Front or keeping of his proper Front by once doubling he becomes bringer up to the File leader 7. The seventh Dignity of place is his who marcheth next after the half file leader for when the half files double the Front or march forth then one doubling ranks him even with the Front 8. The eight place of Honour the File being but eight in depth is the third from the front for he may be made a File leader also although it may be with more trouble for by countermarching of the Front and Reere into the midst and then facing to the first Front and after doubling of Ranks makes him a File leader also I desire to speak nothing here to tye up the Ingenious to any particular fancy when his own reason shall guide him in this Military Discipline as may not be irregular and contrary to the rules of Art Now each Souldier being well exercised in the Postures of the Pike and Musquet and knowing their Dignity both in File and Rank will not stand still here but must be labouring to march farther in this field of Military Discipline that by the knowledge thereof his undaunted courage might conduct him to some higher worth or place of Dignity CHAP. IV. Of the Drum I Come in the next place to advise every Souldier to be careful and endeavour to know the several Beates thereof or else he may often fall short of his Captains Commands There are these several Beates to be taken notice of as Military signs for the Souldier to walk or guide his actions by and are termed Semivocall signes as you may see in the Horse service pa. 9. The several Beates or poynts of War are 1. A Call 2. A Troope 3. A March 4. A Preparative 5. A Battalia 6. A Retreit Besides these six there are two other Beats of the Drum 7. A Ta-to 8. A Revally The Ta-to is beaten when the Watch is set at the discretion of the Governour after which in most places or Garrisons of note there is a Warning piece discharged so that none are to be out of their houses without the word is given them c. A Revally is beaten in the morning by day light at which time the subofficers are to take off their out Sentinels It is when by reason of the great noyse of Guns men armes and Horses the Commanders voyce for it can neither be heard or obeyed without the beat of the Drum And the action of the Souldier whether valiant or otherwise is to be guided by it And For the better performance hereof it is the Captains duty to teach his Souldiers distinctly the several beats of the Drum that they may be the better able to perform their respective duties when ever they shall be so commanded by the Drum CHAP. V. Of Distances HErein I shall shew you what distance is and the several sorts of distances Without distance no motion can be performed Although distance in it self is not motion yet there is a motion in that action that produceth our several distances of place between man and man or that space or intervall of ground either in File or Rank And I may truly assert that the Discipline of a Foot Company c. consisteth so much in distance and motion that there is great necessitie of learning this very principle for they are not fixed in one station but are mutually interchanged one with another as occasion is offered by command and so are all brought into Order by their distances for if a perfect form of order be not observed disorder must necessarily follow the effect of which produceth confusion In our Modern discipline there are these four distances in use 1. Close Order 2. Order 3. Open Order 4. Double distance 1. Close Order which is both in File rank one foot and half 2. Order which is both in File rank three foot 3. Open Order which is both in File rank six foot 4. Double distance which is both in File rank twelve foot There are several distances to be performed in 1. March 2. Motion 3. Skirmish 1. The distance of marching between File and File is three foot between Rank and Rank is six foot 2. The distance for motion as for doubling of Files and Ranks for facings and Countermarches between File and Rank is six foot 3. Distances for intire doublings and skirmishes between Rank and File is three Foot 4. Distances for prevention of Cannon shott is 12 Foot or 24. Foot the double double distance Note that the close Order is useful 1. To the Files of Pikes to the charge of Horse 2. Before you Command any Wheelings 3. When the Commander is to deliver somewhat to the Souldier that all may hear Observe Before you open or
perform it outwards Command The first rank to stand the rest to face to the right and left outwards the second rank to advance clear of the first and then to move forth even with the Front in breast and all the rest successively do the same until they be all even with the Front in one intire rank To reduce this Ranks as you were OR The first 12 or 12 middlemost stand the rest face to the right and left inwards the second to move into the reer of the first rank the third into the reer of the second and successively the rest into the reer of the remainder and being faced to their Leader and even in their ranks they are reduced 2. To perform it Inwards Command Ranks rank inward into the Front To produce it the first rank to move to the right and left outwards and so to keep moving or opening then the second rank is to advance into the ground of the first and the second is then to move with the first to the right and left outwards then the third is to advance into the place of the second rank so all are to do until the last rank is advanced intire into the Front To reduce this The first six upon the right and left hand stand then Command Ranks rank six to the right and left outwards And close your Divisions Lastly the Conversion of Ranks by wheeling into the Flanks 14. Command Ranks wheel to the Right or Left into the right Flank To perform this Command Every particular rank to be at double Distance in rank and at close Order in file Then Wheel them to their right hand until they have brought their Faces or Aspects unto the right Flank After you may face them to the Front To reduce this Command Files rank twelve to the right The first man is to stand the rest is to move forward to the right successively twelve in rank But if you wheel them to the left hand into the right flank you must command them to face about and wheel your ranks to the left hand until their Faces or Aspects be brought to the right Flank 15. Command Ranks of your Front and Reer half files wheel outwards to your right Flank I shall put in execution but two Ranks one in the Front half files and the other of the Reer half files which is sufficient for Demonstration To perform this Command Ranks open all to your twice double distance then Front half files wheel to the right and Reer half files wheel to the left And face to your Leader To reduce them Command Front half files rank twelve to the right Reer half files rank twelve to the left Face to your Leader march up and close forwards to your due distance 16. Command Ranks of your Front and Reer half Files wheel inwards into your right Flank To perform this Command Front and Reer half files march clear to your twice double distance Front and Reer half files face about Front half files wheel your Ranks to the left and Reer half files wheel your Ranks to the right Face to your Leader To reduce this Command Front half files rank twelve to the left Reer half files face about and rank twelve to the right Face to your Leader and close your Divisions 17. Command Ranks rank to each Flank by wheeling to the right and left into the same by Division OR Ranks wheel to the right and left by Division into both Flanks advancing or placing themselves before their right and left hand men Observe they are to be at double distance in Rank and at Order in File Figure 17. To reduce them Command them to face to the Reer and wheel into their places OR Files rank twelve to the right and left inward into the Reer and close them to their order then face them to their Leader But if you would avoid mixture of Arms you may place all your Musquetteers either in Front and Reer Or else wheel only the Musquetteers first and leave the Pikes standing Or else it may be performed in marching and then the Reducement is Ranks as you were 18. Command Ranks of your Front and Reer half files wheel outwards to your right and left Flank by Division They are to observe the same distance as in the former To perform this Command Half files face about Ranks open to your double distance then Front and Reer half files wheel to the right and left outwards into both Flanks Figure 18. To reduce this Command Who being faced to their Leader Front half files face to the Reer rank twelve to the right and left inwards And Reer half files face about and rank twelve to the right and left inward Files close to the midst to your order Face to your Leader CHAP. XIV Of making File-Leaders successively both of Number and Place in a File and so for a whole Body The Sweedish Mode also AS I have stinted my self to a set Number of Files so I have also to a set Number in a File not exceeding six being according to our present Mode of Discipline for if I had gone to a various Number in Files and added two to each File my Figures had been more delightful to some Spectators others I hope will find enough in this to qualifie or make them fit to do their King and Country service c. And now the Souldery having marched sometimes together and so loving being Souldiers indeed by reason of such experiences as they have attained unto in the exercise of this Military Art that each Leader is willing his follower should take his place which is a great incouragement to an ingenious Souldier This ought not to be slighted because it is profitable to a Commander to bring what Ranks he pleaseth to lead in the Front and to exchange them again and at last to bring the proper File-Leaders into their places Besides the incouragement it hath in private exercises it makes men studious whereby they may be able to Command in their respective Files when they are become Leaders In the first place take these short Commands to produce them as followeth Command 1. A File-Leader 2. Rank two to the left and Files to the left double 3. Countermarch Front and Reer into the midst and face to that part which was the Reer 4. Face about to the right 5. Countermarch from the Reer into the midst and face to that which was the Reer 6. Files rank two to the right and Files to the right double This being performed they are reduc'd I shall demonstrate by Tables the succession of each man's Leading and give you some or several Words of Command according to my own and others severally that shall produce such Leader into his place as they shall stand in sequence and as they shall also stand in their respective Dignities The Front and standings of each File as they come to be Leaders according to various Commands A File       Â
present incumbrance This experience hath discovered and that firing upon motion to be the most speediest and safest way for firing in the Reer Now for a Publick Exercise when you have fired over once you may then face them to their Leader and fire in the Front But if you be upon a march and should be pursued by an Enemies Horse then Wheel your Flanks into the Front and face to the Reer your Pikes will defend your Body so your Musquetteers may fire over them as in the 17. Figure by extraduction and reduced accordingly Secondly In firing to the Reer the Musquetteers may be in the Reer of the Pikes And first having fired they are to wheel off and place themselves between the Front of Musquetteers and Reer of Pikes And secondly having fired in the Reer they may wheel off by Division and march into the Front of Pikes the Body still marching Or if both flanks be in the Reer they may fire wheel off by Division and double both flanks This last hath reduced it self and for the second you may for exercise fire them in the Front and in their wheeling off to flank their Pikes or for expedition for the Musquetteers to open to the right and left and march the Pikes up in the interval and they are reduced as at first You may perceive the use of firings in the Reer and that the Souldier ought to be very well exercised in them For a true experience herein doth not only add to the perfection of the Souldier but his safety also Before I conclude this Chapter I shall add two Figures of firing in Front and Reer marching 3. Command Front half Files of Musquetteers march until you be clear of the Front of Pikes Face in opposition and close your Divisions So for the reer half files face about to the right and march until you be clear of the Reer of Pikes face them in opposition and close their Divisions Having fired their first and last Ranks they wheel off to the right and left by Division the Front Division are to place themselves even in Rank with the Front of Pikes and the Reer Division of Musquetteers are to place themselves even in Rank with the Bringers-up and so each Rank successively after each other will reduce this Figure 4. Command Half Files of Musquetteers fire to your Front and Reer placing your selves between your Divisions This firing is plain without direction and the firing being ended they are reduced CHAP. XX. Of Firings in the Flanks THere are reasons to be given and Experience hath found it necessary for firing in the Flanks When you are upon a March an Enemy may endeavour an assault to molest you in your passages that your disadvantages may be the greater either by ambushments laid against you or to frustrate your designs Now in the performance hereof there are several circumstances that are to be taken notice of as the strength of your Enemy the time number and place all for your own security or advantages against him I shall begin with some Exercises upon the right flank and what is performed there by Figure may also be performed upon the left hand In order hereunto pass all your Musquetteers into your right flank by Commanding Musquetteers of the right Flank open to the right and being opened to a convenient distance stand then Musquetteers of the left Flank pass through your Ranks of Pikes to the interval of the right Flank then stand and face to your Leader Your facings to the right or left is that by which the flanks become accidental fronts and then for the firings thereupon you may to your discretion use such as are most convenient being already shewn Chapter 18. I shall not here take up any room with the demonstrations thereof and shall shew but some few firings in the right flank as the Body shall be marching in all which you are to observe the Pikes are to be shouldered 1. Command Musquetteers give fire to the right and wheel after your Bringers-up between your Divisions And this at the discretion of the Commander is done two wayes either by commanding to be lead into their places by their File-leader or by their Bringers-up and to place themselves before them c. Here by this Figure they in the first place as the Body is marching face to the right the outmost File presents and gives fire after their firing they face to the right and after their Bringer-up who leads them off in the Reer of the Musquetteers and up into the Interval between the Pikes and Musquets until the Bringer-up of the File hath placed himself even in breast with the Frontiers and so the marching Party as Command shall be given are to open that the Files of Musquetteers after they have fired may march up between the Divisions and so every File is successively to fire and wheel off and place it self This firing being performed twice over they are Reduced If but once you must countermarch your files of Musquetteers to reduce them 2. You may secondly after they have fired Command them to face to the right and to wheel off every man placing himself before his Bringer up or present Leader hereby the Bringer up will be in his due place and the file-leader in his proper place also 3. A Third way of firing upon this Figure is to fire in the right flank and to be lead off into their places by their respective File-leaders The Body marching the outmost File faceth to the right and fires and when the body is marched clear of the standing file then the next file presents to the right and fires and whilest he is firing the first file that is fired faceth to the left and marcheth up between the Musquetteers and Pikes Observing the former directions in their march that there may be space enough in the Interval for the several Files successively to march into these places 4. There is a fourth way of firing that is to give fire to the right and gather up your Files The Body marching the outmost file faceth to the right fires then stands and faceth to their Leader Then when the Body is clear of the standing file the second file faceth to the right and fires and stands also facing to their Leader then the first file is to advance up to the second and so when the first and second have fired they are to be lead up to the third Thus having fired they are to be lead up even in breast to the file that last fired and having all fired they are to be marcht up even with the Front Pikes To reduce this Command Left half Ranks of Musquetteers face to the left Pikes face to the right pass through interchanging of Ground Face to your Leader How beneficial this may be to the security of the Souldier they that will make use of it that are ingenious will better judge but I am of opinion it is more fit for a private Exercise
increase of Honour here and what may be merited for you to make you glorious in the world to come subscribing in the quality of July 29. 1671. Your Humble Servant Tho. Venn TO THE Truly Generous Gentlemen and CITIZENS of LONDON Practising Armes in the Artillery Garden Gentlemen ALthough I am a stranger to you I must declare to the world that what I know in this Art Military I received as it were from your breast from some who were Leaders in your ground And 't is a grief to me that I live at such a distance from you as not to be of your number the least amongst you being of ability to be Commanders in Chief when ever his MAJESTY may require it There is in you strength enough to shield a just cause and a Royal cause is able to advance your power give me leave to tell you there can be nothing done by you without it it is that which giveth strength and sinewes to all your motions Gentlemen you may see by my other Epistles what Authors I have made use of Elton and if you find some of the words of Command one and the same with others late before me I could not help it for this was finished as to the Commands and directions above four or five years now last past and in all that time I never saw any thing of the Gentlemans nor his latter piece as yet This you 'l find to be but methodical collections for the young Country Souldier and in our rural exercises they can draw up but twelve files in which I am stinted to a very small number for so great a work if there were a proportionableness in the Armes the figures would have been better yet not in the least presuming to teach you but I hope with your favourable constructions you will allow it useful for us in the Country although your abilities may teach the world ten times more I aim'd at nothing but to shew how necessary the readyness and use of Armes is and of men to be well exercised in them Which hath been a benefit to Republicks as History and experience hath made to appear for what Nation hath not found safety in the expert use of them and in the neglect thereof ruin I hope there are none of you so disloyal as not to obey your Princes Commands in Order to which I cannot but Commend your close order to his Religion and not to be at open distances it is that which will make your obedience free your affections settled your selves renowned and as I may in some part say the peace of the Kingdom secured I humbly crave your pardons for my boldness and grant me not only to be in the number of the well wishers to this Art but also to the prosperity of your ground and I shall alwayes subscribe March 1671. Yours Tho. Venn TO ALL MY FELLOW-OFFICERS SOULDIERS AND LOVING COUNTRY-MEN To whom the Exercise of ARMES Is delightful Gentlemen and Fellow Souldiers ALlthough there are discouragements enough to make you negligent in the exercise of Armes not only to see this Art so little countenanced but our late Enemies by sitting still grow rich and the Royal Sons of Mars in all their labours not able with one hand to wash the other yet this one thing in making our selves capable to do our Gracious King and Country service should be the chiefest motive to labour after the Theorick part of this Art by which we shall be the better able to perform the Practick when we shall be called thereunto But lest these few Collectives might meet with some objections why that I should treat of the Horse in the first place when Antiquity alloweth the precedency thereof to the Infantry It was not to raise a dispute amongst the Novists but I leave such to enquire of the precedencies in a Council of War and who taking place there will resolve them And it is well known to most of you I was a Commander of Horse my self and then having finished my weak thoughts as to the Exercise thereof which being viewed by some Gentlemen of our Country I was desired by them to set out likewise some few Collections for the young foot Souldier It is true there have been many Books printed of this Art in our past ages and some in our present and as Solomon saith of making many Books there is no end yet if it had not been for Books this Art might have been buried in oblivion And if I should set out at full how all that we practise is not only borrowed from Antiquity but most of the very words of Command are kept still in use it would be too large and it being not my business I shall acquiesce with what I intended for my private use but being as I have declared requested hereunto When London was burnt 1666. Sept. 3d. c. and now fearing that most of our books are consumed by fire I am further perswaded to put these introductives to publick view Let me perswade you fellow Souldiers although you meet with many discouragements and scoffs in your Country although taxes lie heavy upon you and your allowances do not answer your moderate expences nay although not your due for your time spent herein yet go on for I will boldly tell you that practical knowledge in this Art is the highest step to preferment We read among the Romans of Lucullus and in our latter age of M. Spinola who through maturity of judgement and great Learning became Generals as soon as Souldiers Intimating that it is the Prerogative of Princes to be born leaders of Armies But others must expect to ascend this Mountain of Honour by many and difficult stepps Therefore first lay a foundation of honest fame labouring after the practice of private vertues Then orderly proceeding to signalize thy selfe by some publique atchievements which I doubt not but every generous spirit will endeavour the ascention thereof you may be assured that passing once the brunt of it even to the hazzard of life it self you 'l find delightful pleasures in following the exercises of this Art Military Who is it that shall think so despicably of a Souldier or his profession so base as some have so accounted them When they that are the sons of Mars and have the true form of Military Discipline are highly to be esteemed as honourable and as necessary members in a Kingdome such as no Kingdome can be without It is honourable because it is compassed about with such reasons as that the contemners thereof by the judicious are much reproved for that State that is not able to stand it out in Armes against the rage of intestine and forraign violence is sure to fall into the hands of the destroyer How can any particular interest preserve it self without it I will boldly say that the Despisers of the use of Armes are not only disloyal to their Prince but destructive to themselves What are the Laws and Civil Orders without defence
being more likely to labour after Victory not only for his Liberty but for his goods or estate As for those that were absolutely necessitous they might have liberty promised by their Enemies and so betray their Trust Again they would never take any Souldiers into their Armies but such as were well exercised before-hand and this did their work and obtained them Victories against their Enemies Vegetius Lib. 1. Chap. 8. The private Souldiers duty is as followeth Whensoever he is commanded for service let him labour to be sober and patient enduring all hardships and travels To know and observe all Orders Military Liv. Compleatly Armed and expert in the use thereof Horridum militem esse decet non caelato auro argentóque sed ferro It becometh a Souldier best to appear terrible not to be garnished with gold and silver but with steel And Souldiers ought not only to be obedient to their Captains but chiefly to Love God and Honour their King This being the duty of a Souldier in general there are two particular duties belonging to him that is as a Sentinel and a Scout 2. Sentinels The further any Sentinels are set from the body of the Guard it is thought necessary two should be placed and there they are to endeavour both to hear and see thereby to learn of their Enemy what may be intended and what they have discovered that whilst one goeth to certifie the Captain of the Guard the other may stand fixt and observe what else might happen in his fellows absence A Sentinel must not alight from his Horse unless it be for natural necessity and but one of them at once Near to the Body of the Guard there may be placed but a single Sentinel to observe the moving of the double If the distances be not too large if there be any other Cross-ways or advenues that each Sentinel may see the other then there may be but a single set for they must know that they are set there only to certifie the Body of the Guard concerning the several occurrances that may happen Suppose a Sentinel should be provoked by any advantagious affairs It is resolved he must not stir a foot for that Sentinel that shall by day or night remove from the place where he was set by his Corporal before he shall be by him fetched off or relieved shall he punished with death Polyb. lib. 1. If the whole Troop be upon the Guard the Lieutenant is to set forth the first Sentinels with the Corporal according to his directive Commands received Directions and to change them conducting them to his Guard but the Cornet is not to forsake his Standard Then the Captain of the Guard is to go the first Round to see not only that all things are safe but also whether thâ—se Sentinels are vigilent And upon his return there are four other Rounders to be sent twice in a night to discover round the Quarters Observe that no Sentinel is to have the Word but Officers and Corporals 3. Scouts They are not only to discover the High-wayes but also to scoure them they are to be of a number answerable to the danger of the Guard for the hazzard of them may prove dangerous both to a private Guard or an Army in General They are to give notice of the Enemies motion of his approach and of the number of them that all suddain surprizes may be prevented 4. A Provost Martial For the badge of his Office he is to have in his hand a staffe or Truncheon and having the same in his hand it is death for any Souldier violently to lay hands on him All Delinquents are to be delivered to him by the Chief in Command He is not to enter any quarter without the leave of the Chief Officer for any Prisoner He is to clear all by-ways of Souldiers that no prejudice may be done by them in their March He is to see all Orders published be duly executed He must be an honest man and take no Bribes 5. A Trumpeter ought to be a man skilful in all the sounds of the Trumpet distinctly He ought to deliver all Embassies c. He ought to observe the Enemies Works Guards and Souldiers that he may give a good accompt thereof at his return And for the better performance thereof he ought to be a man witty and subtle and to manage it discreetly He ought not in the least to discover any thing as may prejudice his own party He must not fail to sound the hours commanded One Trumpet is to be with the Cornet and he is to be allowed by the Captain for him who is to receive a list of the Guards from the Cornet and is privately to warn the Souldiers thereof 6. Corporals in a Troop of Horse have been always allowed to be of great use who ought to be of a civil carriage and stout spirit they are to be three or more according to the allowance of Horse c. They are to be assistant to the Lieutenant in placing of the Sentinels each in their several squadrons when they are to perform duty If any parties are to be sent abroad either for discovery or to scoure the high-wayes a Corporal is to be sent with them He is bound to keep a list of his Squadron 7. A Quarter-Master ought to be a man of much fidelity in regard of distributing of the Word and Billets He is to have the Command of the Troop in the absence of his superiour Officers Who in going to make his Billets is to have a Souldier along with him by the appointment of the Lieutenant who is to return to the Troop to conduct them to their Quarters 8. A Cornet ought to be a man of gallant behaviour and undaunted courage His place in the Troop upon a march is on the front of his own squadron and to take the Standard himself marching through any great Town or City or when commanded or into the field with it flying and when any General shall appear in the field he is to drop the head of his standard towards the ground in obeysance to him His Place when the Troop is drawn up to the opinion of some is for to exercise upon the left of the Captain somewhat behind the Captain But in fight or skirmish he is to place himself in the first rank of his own squadron with his staffe sunkt or slopt and in danger it is more honour to break his Launce or staff himself then to suffer his standard to be broken and taken from him He is to keep a list of the Troop and wait every day upon his Superiour Officers and such Souldiers as his Captain and Lieutenant shall appoint he shall send to the Guard In the absence of the Captain and Lieutenant he is to command the Troop 9. For the Lieutenant The Reer is assigned him for his place and was antiently called Tregidux that is a Reer Commander And Lieutenant is a French word signifying one which
supplyeth the place of another for in the absence of the Captain he commands the Troop appointing an Officer to be in the Reer He ought to be a man well educated in Cavalry and in the other parts of the Art Military He ought to be strict to see the souldiers punctually to do their service and to have a care to their Horses and Arms in the field and fight He being in the Reer is not only to encourage the Souldiers but to have his sword drawn and to kill any that shall endeavour to flee and not to fight He ought to know the ability of his Souldiers keeping the list of their names that the Guards may be in a readiness with the Captains consent and by him delivered to the Cornet In the mounting of the Guard he is to inform himself of the place for the Guard and of the Sentinels for to set the ways for to be scoured and must go himself with the Corporal of the Guard and see the first Sentinels placed And when he hath the Guard himself he must often visit them always to be armed and to keep his bridle day and night upon his horse's head When the Troop is drawn up to lodge the Standard He is to see the Quartermaster deliver to the Souldiers their respective Billets for their quartering upon that Alt before they move for then the Souldier will know thereby the better where to wait on the Cornet upon any occasion He ought to visit all Quarters as to his list received and see that the Souldiers be of civil bevaviour and if any complaints be made of any disorder he is to remedy it by punishing the Offenders When the Trumpet sounds to Horse he ought to be first mounted and to cause all immediately to do the same He must punish all lingring and lazie Souldiers that are not presently mounted with him The good Examples of a Leader have ever been observed to be of a marvellous efficacy with the Souldiers 10. Every Captain ought to be obedient valiant and resolute in the execution of all Commands with Judgement discretion and Valour that with vertuous nobleness and generosity he may win the love of his Souldiers to their King Country and himself and that by his own experience in the knowledge of Military Discipline he may be able to govern his Souldiers accordingly 11. Colonels They ought to have an high respect with all Obedience to their higher Officers faithfully to perform their Commands and that with care valour affection and diligence they govern their Regiments 12. And when every General shall make his whole Army to love and fear God and shall govern with prudence care order and Justice and knowing how to prevent remedy and execute as occasions shall offer themselves with great skill and dexterity will make himself no less loved than feared From these Officers the Trained Bands of this Kingdom with the Ships are the defence thereof or ought to be but to speak of the choice of the Souldiers or of their being armed or well disciplined as in many places is much neglected and where the fault is as I am an inferiour Officer I must be silent Pardon me to say it would be much better if his Majesties Deputies would cast their eyes and commands oftner amongst them I could wish that our Militia instead of celebrating their Feasts to Mars did it not too much to Bacchus with carousing and drunkenness which folly and detestable vice is an Enemy to all Vertues both of soul and body and to all Military Discipline It is the very Nurse of Effeminacy of Cowardise of Sensuality of Rebellion and of all other Vices that can be imagined This was a Forrain Vice brought in amongst us by our Neighbour Commanders quaffing and carousing until as the Fleming say Do ot Dronken It is a sad thing that any that bears affection to Military Affairs should make such fruits the merchantable effects of that Discipline I am sure he is no true Souldier nor Subject that shall follow such beastly ensamples when it is the Command of our Soveraign to the contrary All must know they are bound to obey Authority and let all true hearts take that for his Card to steer the course of his Loyalty by CHAP. III. Of the Arming of the Cavalry THe Cavalry are required in their Persons Arms and Horses to be suitable to their several ends and Imployments There were among the Graecians and Romans two bodies of Horse a light-armed body and a heavy-armed body the light-armed were to give the first onset to the Infantry to make way as I conceive by disordering the Enemy then the heavy-armed Horse were to take their advantages for Victory There were and are to be taken notice of five several kinds of men at Arms for the Horse service Lanceirs Cuirasiers Harquebuziers Carabiniers Dragoniers 1. Lanciers they were offensive but chiefly defensive and were armed Capa pe with Swords and Peternels somewhat longer than our ordinary Pistols now in use with a Lance of about sixteen or eighteen foot long It hath been adjudged by our Royal Generals and found by experience of late years not so serviceable because not so nimble for any suddain enterprizes or field services as our light-armed Horse-men are therefore wholly laid aside Besides they were not always of effectual use in a body for execution but in a straight line upon a Carreer and where they must have both leasure and room enough to work their designs which I leave to the Judicious to give their Verdicts herein for if men in our days should be laden with such Arms how would they be able to command a Lance at that length If there were such inconveniences in the weight of the Armour and Weapons as the then after experienced found many yet our men are much weaker and wholly unable to undergo the burden thereof upon these considerations the use of the Lance was then left off so that the Horse were called 2. Curasiers who were both for Horse and Armes in no wise inferiour to the Lanciers his Lance excepted and are also offensive but chiefely defensive but not subject to those inconveniences as the former with their Lances He is to have under his Armour which is Capa pe a good Buff coat and good Peternels with a Sword whose point must be stiff and sharp his Sadle and bitt strong and his bridle with an Iron chain to prevent cutting he is to have a boy to carry his armes and to forrage for him These are the heavy-armed for the Horse service which are not used amongst us especially in our settled Militia nor but few of the next which are termed 3. Harnuebuziers who are very serviceable and are to be armed defensive with a good Buff coat and to have a back breast and pot Pistoll proofe and for his offensive armes he is to have a good Harquebuz hanging on a Belt with a swivel and serviceable Pistols as is set forth in the Horse service by
when he heareth it sounded in the Field he must retire to them with all Speed 4. Tucquet Or March When this is sounded he is presently to March in which he is to observe his right-hand man and to follow after his Leader 5. Charga Or Charge When this is sounded by and with the examples or directions of his Commander the Souldier is to give proof of his valour in the speedy charging of his Enemy 6. Auquet Or Watch When this is sounded at night the Souldier is to repaire to the place for mounting of the Guard for Watch Or at the morning for dismounting of the Guards I have read of another sound called Attende Hoe for listening unto A call for summons A Senat for State and the like This when sounded the Souldier is to hearken unto it that he may the better be able to perform those Edicts that shall be then commanded The third and last Military Signe is 3. A Mute That is by signes to the eye as by the Cornets Colours or other motions by the hand of the Commander c. You see there are two principal senses of Advertisements the Eare and the Eye the true observation and use of these signes availeth much in Warr for he that is negligent in either may not only lose himself but be the cause of the loss of many others so that by being careless herein Victory it self is often lost How careful ought every Souldier then to be that by silence he may the beter hearken to all Commands that by the Vigilancy of his eye he may the better observe Vide Chap. 5. every sign that may by given For Vegetius saith that nothing profiteth more to Victory than to obey the Admonitions of signes CHAP. V. For the Marching and drawing up of a Troop of Horse EVery Troop of Horse must be furnished with a Captain Lieutenant Cornet and a Quartermaster two Trumpeters a Clark a Sadler a Chirurgeon and a Farrier And every Troop is usually divided into three equal parts each of which is called a Squadron and are severally known by the Captain 's Lieutenant's and Cornet's Squadron acordingly there are three Corporals There are as great diversitie of judgements almost as Authors about the placing of some Officers either in their marchings of a single Troop or being drawn up into a Battalia Some would have the Captain and one Trumpet in the front Then the Cornet leading of his Squadron and the third to be lead by the Eldest Corporal and the Junior Corporal in the reer Ward fo 26. with the Lieutenant who hath the command of a Trumpet with him Markham varieth something from this and but little only the two junior Corporals to be extravagant in the March who are so ordered on purpose to keep the Souldiers in their Ranks and to be orderly in their March Both Ward and Markham marcheth six in file but Ward marcheth Five in Rank and Markham Four only Others again differ in placing of Officers both in March and Battalia as Walhawsen would have the Harquebuzier to March eight in File and the Cuiraster ten in File But Markham and Ward being later Discipliners in this Art Military I shall only insert two platformes accordingly These of Markham and of Captain Ward are decyphered six in File and a File so drawn is distinguished according to their dignity of Place a Leader a Follower two Middlemen a Follower and a Bringer up The Ancient Dignity of a File 1 Dignity of place 1 H Leader 2 5 h Follower 3 4 H Middle man to the front 4 3 H Middle man to the reere 5 6 h Follower 6 2 H Bringer up Cruso exerciseth eight deep and therefore useless to our mode of fighting for our Custome is to make the Horse but three in File I shall not stand to answer the objections on both sides but shall leave it to the most expert in this Art I conceive it enough that our late experience hath taught otherwise And our present discipline being in practice to the Contrary Accordingly here shall follow a Troop of threescore Horse marching with each Officer in his respective place and also the form of a Troop drawn up in a body And when you march through any City or Town Observe your Pistols must be loaded and so fixed that you may be in a readyness to fire when ever occasion may be offered and command given having one of your Pistols drawn forth of your Holster mounting your muzzel and resting the butt end thereof upon your Thigh A Troop marching to our present mode A Troop drawn up In the March some place the Quartermaster to lead up the Lieutenant's Squadron and the two other Corporals to be extravagant that is to view and see each Souldier to keep his place In private exercises it is not denied but the Quartermaster may lead up the Lieutenant's Squadron But it is conceived best to place the Quarter-master in the Reere for it is presupposed that he is or may be to take up Quarters c. CHAP. VI. The Exercising of a Troop as Armed with a Carabine and Pistol THe Horse being in a body to exercise and to make the Souldier more able to handle his armes when he shall be called forth to fight The words of Command shall follow Notwithstanding there is but little difference between the words of Command for the Pistol with a Snaphans and the Carabine I shall however give them severally Although Mounting to Horse is no Posture of Arms and but a preparative to exercise and Service I shall presuppose the Souldiers to be dismounted annd stand ready by their Horses in a body The word of Command according to our English mode is To horse Now all being ready to Mount must be careful that his Horse be well girt c. And as a preparative to Exercise there is another word of Command Silence Without there be silence in the body the Souldier in no wise can distinctly hear what is commanded by the chief Officer It is the Souldiers Ear and care to preserve the body from fractions and where Silence is not diligently performed the Souldier doth not only fail in his motions but the event will be naught for it is the very footstep to rashness And it is as Livius saith Temeritas praeterquam quòd stulta est etiam infoelix not only foolishness but infortunate The words of Command for the Carabine All the Carabines being dropt let fall and hanging by their Swivells The Postures are as followeth Silence being commanded 1. Handle your Carabine Postures 2. Mount your Carabine Some terme this Order and others against that because it 's proper to the Pike placing your butt end upon your Thigh 3. Rest your Carabine in your bridle hand 4. Bend your cock to half bent 5. Guard or secure your cock 6. Prime your Pan. 7. Shut your pan or fix your hammer 8. Sink your Carabine on your left side 9. Gage your flask 10. Lade your
3. For Counter-marches which is but the reducement of File-Leaders into the place of bringers up or one flank into the place of another which is more proper for the foot service than useful in the exercise of the Horse yet because some have used it in their exercise therefore I shall demonstrate one Counter-march by Figure in his place 4. For Wheelings They are of most excellent use in the service of the Horse and ought to be very carefully exercised by every Commander they serve in some respect to execute what is to be performed by Counter-marches which is to bring the Frontiers who are always supposed to consist of the ablest men thereby to be ready to receive the Charge of the Enemy in either Flank or Reer which by Counter-marches you cannot do Accordingly the Motions shall follow that the untutoured Souldier may the better apprehend them It shall be represented by the Letter h. All Motions are to be done intirely at one and the same time for in our Military Exercises they are the very life of an Army and the only means being truly performed that giveth Victory without which all preparations of Forces are in vain and avail nothing in the field to the end for which they were levied And this among experienced Souldiers is of inestimable reputation 1. To the Right Hand Note That in all Motions before a second be commanded I mean in all single Motions the body must be reduced to his first proper form To Reduce them command To the left or To your Leader or As you were 2. To the Left Hand To reduce them command To the Right or To your Leader or As you were 3. To the right hand about 4. To the left hand about This is by turning to the left hand until their Faces front the Reer The proper Front To reduce them To the right hand about 5. Ranks open forward to your double distance 6. Files to the right double 7. Files to the left double It is most convenient for the Horse to move from the right hand To reduce them Ranks to the right double or Files rank as you were 8. Files to the right hand Counter-march 9. Files to the left hand Counter-march Foot pa. 60. To perform this Direct That all the file Leaders move their Horses intirely a little forwards and so likewise turning off to the left hand they march even in rank down to the Reer and none of the rest to turn off until he come to his Leaders ground To Reduce them Counter-march to the left As this is for the maintaining of the same Ground so there may be a Counter-march for the gaining of Ground but I conceive them wholly useless but where you have not ground to make your Wheels Therefore not knowing what necessity may force us unto it is convenient the Souldier should be sometimes exercised therein Note That in your Counter-marches for gaining of ground the Souldier is to turn off the ground his Horse stands upon and so passing through each is to follow his Leader 10. Ranks close forwards 11. Files close to the left 12. Files close to the left to your close Order Observe in closing to the left the left File is to stand fixt the next are to move to the left 13. Ranks close forward to your close Order In performance of this Command the first Rank is to stand the second moving and taking its distance stands likewise and so the third It cannot be expected that any Wheeling of the Horse should be so exactly performed in so little a compass as is taken by the foot therefore every Commander ought discreetly to take larger room for the compass of his motion so that all his Wheelings may be performed intirely without distraction Note That Wheeling to the left for the Horse is the readiest way except you are prevented by some hinderances c. 14. Wheel to the left hand In this motion the whole body moveth to the left upon the left hand file-leader as the center And so you may keep wheeling until you have brought them to their proper front So if you wheel them to the left about the Reer then will be their accidental Front 15. Wheel to the right and left by Division The Wheelings of the accidental Fronts upon both Wings into the proper Front and close their Divisions will reduce them 16. Trot large and wheel to the left Wheeling to the right will Reduce them or by a circular Wheeling of them until they are brought into their proper form 17. Trot and wheel to the left about This bringeth the ablest men to be in the Reer for any speedy On-set and Wheeling to the right about will reduce them c. The word Alt doth signifie to make a stand and is derived from the Dutch word Halt which is as we say hold c. Observe that in all motions you make an Alt that the Souldery may settle themselves in their places both in Rank and File before you put any fresh Command upon them 18. Gallop and wheel to the left 19. Gallop and wheel to the left about To reduce both these is by wheeling to the contrary All these being performed to reduce them to their first form Open first your Ranks and then your Files and in opening of your Ranks the best way is to open them forwards CHAP. IX Of Firings I Had thoughts to have treated of Encampments and Embattelings but that being not my work at present I shall pass them by because it is my business to treat only of the exercise of a single Troop In the first place I shall set out one firing of Walhausens When your Enemy chargeth you in a full career Cruso fol. â—9 you are suddainly to open to the right and left facing inwards and charge them in the flanks and when the Enemy is past your body you are to wheel to the right and left inward and so charge him with a full career in the Reer but here you must observe their files to be six and eight in depth and so his Figure is represented as followeth This he commends very much for whilst the Enemy is upon his Career you are but upon your Trot and then opening to the right and left This he speaks of Cuirasiers either he must run through and do but little execution or else Alt in his career and so disorders himself which is advantageous to you But I am of another opinion as to our Mode of fighting being but three in depth we must rather sink than suffer any Voluntary Breach The same Author would have our Harquebuziers to give fire by Files either right or left advancing before the Body in a full career towards the Enemy but many do wholly reject it as being dangerous in Field service But now for the private exercise of a single Troop which may be necessary to bring the Souldier to a more ready and complete use of his Arms I shall demonstrate of Files firing
Military Observations FOR THE EXERCISE OF THE FOOT CHAP. I. By way of Introduction HAving passed some few Collectives to the service of the Horse I was desired to do the like for the foot figuring out each Command or platforme after the proportion of Six in File which is according to our late Mode of discipline There have been many Books writ of this Military Art in the Exercise of the Foot both ancient and Moderne but of our later writers I referr our new commission'd Gentlemen to the perusal of Bingham Hexham Barrife and Ward I would not have Elton although a Parliament Officer wholly to be laid aside for I have received informations of the great Worth and parts of the Gentleman To them whose experience have been their masterpiece I am silent desiring with all submission rather to learn from such than presume to direct Those Gentlemen are to be commended that will bestow time in reading of this Art but especially such as put in practice what they read which is the readiest way to make men fit for the service of their King and Country For what maketh a man more confidently Couragious than knowledge There are many Gentlemen that are greater Readers of the Wars than Practitioners of the same who have had some cavelling disputes about the discipline thereof not considering the great change that time hath made and experience hath found out in Martial affaires In the reading of the Roman and Grecian Orders Discipline and Government of their Armies I had thought to have given you a tast thereof but deserving a better Pen than mine to set forth the Gallantry of them I shall be silent And yet if it were possible to renew them it would never work the like effect as it did against their Enemies One great cause thereof is supposed that they made better pay-men in those dayes Vice was severely punished Vertue most bountifully rewarded and when the Wars were ended such as deserved well were both regarded and rewarded or else remained inrolled in pensionary pay so by that meanes the Exercise of Armes continued It is to be observed that where Payment and Reward cease there Discipline and good Order ceaseth also As for the Exercise of Armes belonging to the Infantry it is the part of the young Souldier to learn and practise in the first place the Postures and well handling of Armes Which I may term to be the single Accidence of this Art before he enters his Syntaxis and it must be done by endeavouring to set some time apart for the exercise thereof There have been many that have not only disputed but have writ against the many Postures now used but being shamefully confuted by our Moderne Writers I shall be silent and proceede to those Postures belonging to such Armes that are now in use in the Country which are far short of what is compleat in Exercise in the Cities of London and Westminster and therein of those Honourable Societies of the Artillery and Military Gardens and also now of late The Criple with out Criplegate CHAP. II. Of the postures of the Pike and Musquet BEfore I give you the postures of them both I shall give you a brief definition of a Posture A Posture is a mode or Garb that we are fixed unto in the well handling of our Armes In which there are motions attendant unto the same for the better grace Presupposing your company to be in the Field and drawn up in a ready way for Exercise then the best way is to Exercise them apart by drawing of the body of Pikes from their Musquets that each may be Exercised in their particular Postures by themselves Only there are some Postures of the Pike and Musquet which are answerable to each other by conformity which ought to be performed in a Body or upon a March as occasion serveth as for Example In Marching All are to be shouldred In Trooping or in any other Motion the Pikes are to be advanced and the Musquets poysed In Porting of the Pike the Musquet to be rested In Trailing of the Pike the Musquet to be reversed which is the Funeral Posture When the Pike is Cheek'd the Musquet is to be rested at the Sentinel Posture when the Musquet is presented to fire the Pike is to be charged And when the Pike is Ordered most commonly especially in a stand or for Exercise the butt end of the Musquet is to be set to the Ground c. 〈◊〉 is most proper for the Captain to Exercise the Pikes himself I do not deny but he may Exercise both as he ought sometimes to do and the Ensign and Lieutenant are not to be negligent herein when they are commanded or in the absence of their superior Officer The next for the Exercise of the Pike in point of Antiquity and Honour the Gentleman of the Pikes craveth the precedency I have declared in the Exercise of the Horse what an excellent Vertue Silence is which ought in the first place to be commanded and most diligently observed The Body of Pikes from their March and standing all shouldered Command as followeth 1. Order your Pikes to your 1. open 2. close order This ought to be made use of always upon a stand And in the daytime it may serve for a Sentinel Posture And for the abatement of the fury of the Horse having the butt end of the Pike on the inside of the right foot Charge then to the Horse drawing your swords over your left arm having your Pike in your left hand you may then receive them by Commanding either to Charge to the Front Right Left Reere 1. Order your Pikes 2. Put up your swords This is only useful upon a stand of Pikes and by some able Souldiers it is not thought to be the securest charging against the Horse or of strength to make the greatest resistance in their full Career Therefore it hath been thought fit to be most convenient to close your files to your close Order and Ranks closing forward and being thus semented as it were will be the better able to ward any resistance From your Order Advance Shoulder Port Comport Cheeke Traile your Pikes Order as you were From your Order charge to the Front Right Left Reere Order as you were 2. Advance your Pikes This is useful upon all occasions when the Drum shall beat a Troop It is also useful in all motions of Doublings c. Only remember when they are reduced they put themselves or be commanded into the same Posture the standing Party was in From your Advance Shoulder Port Comport Cheeke Trail your Pikes Advance as you were From your Advance charge to the Front Right Left Reer Advance as you were 3. Shoulder your Pike This is useful and most proper upon a March It is useful in time of fight provided the Pikes be upon a stand for it doth not only preserve the Pikes from shattering but the Souldier also From your shoulder Port Comport Cheeke Trail your Pikes Shoulder as
how a Battalia may be strengthned by doublings And that is either in the 1. Front 2. Reer or 3. Both Flanks The Front may be strengthned by Intire Doublings Divisional Doublings Intire Wheelings Divisional Wheelings Of these I shall proceed in their several Orders shewing how intire Doublings do strengthen the Front And that is by 1. Ranks 2. Bringers up 3. Half Files 1. The Front is strengthned by intire Doublings of Ranks 1. Command Ranks to the 1. Right or 2. Left Doubles Directions for doubling to the Right from the left the even Ranks from the Front move forward to the Right into the odd Ranks To reduce them Command Files to the left double or Ranks as you were The doubling of this Figure to the right doth easily make appear what is meant by doubling to the left that I need not demonstrate it 2. Command Ranks to the right and left double 1. Outward or 2. Inward 1. Directions Outward Even Ranks move outward from the Flanks with three steps forward into the odd Ranks To reduce them Ranks as you were Or Files to the right and left double inward 2. Directions inward The even Ranks move inward from the Flanks with three steps forward into the odd Ranks To reduce them Ranks as you were Or Files to the right and left double outward 3. Command Double your Ranks to the 1. Right 2. Left Intire Directions to the right Even Ranks from the Front face to the right and march forth until they be clear of the standing Ranks then face them to their Leader and double the odd Ranks that are standing If you command them to close their Ranks forward it will be the same Figure as may be produced by commanding half files to double the front to the right the difference being only in quality not in quantity vide Fig. 3. To reduce them Command Ranks that doubled face to the left and march forth into your places Or Half Ranks of the right face to the left and double your left Flank Or Ranks as you were 4. Command Double your Ranks inward intire Directions Every even Rank from the Reer face to the right and left out wards and march until they be clear of the standing part then let every even Rank from the Front which is the standing part move forwards into the Front 5. Command Double your Ranks to the 1. Right 2. Left Intire Every man placing himself on the outside of his right hand man This doubling is the same in Figure with the third they differ only in place the quantity being the same Directions Every even Rank from the Front face to the right and march placing your selves on the outside of your right hand men To reduce them Command Right half ranks double your left flank each placing your selves on the inside of his left hand man 2. Intire doublings for the strengthening of the Front by Bringers-up 6. Command Bringers-up double your Front to the 1. Right 2. Left Directions for doubling to the right Bringers up move forwards with your right legs and pass through ranking themselves even with the Front the rest following successively and placing themselves even with the standing ranks To reduce them Command Bringers up or Reer half files face about to the left and march into your places OR Even files from the left double your depth to the left each fall behind his accidental bringer-up or half file-leader When they march into their places the half file-leaders who were the last that took their places now in this reducement must be the first to take their places 7. Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right and left 1. Outward 2. Inward This I never saw but once in a private Exercise but I conceive it more out of curiosity than of necessity And because it is suitable to the second Command of Ranks I need not demonstrate them in Figures as the even ranks move and take their respective places in the second Figure in this the bringers-up are to be the first movers to the right and left either outwards or inwards If outwards then it is to be performed from the midst of the Reer from the right and left into the Front To reduce them Command The odd files from the right and left flank double your depth to the right and left inwards every man falling behind his accidental bringer-up If inwards then it ought to be performed from the flanks to the right and left inwards even into the Front To reduce them Command The even files from each flank double your depth to the right and left inwards all falling behind his accidental bringer-up 3. Intire doublings for the strengthening of the Front by half-files 8. Command Half files double your Front to the 1. Right 2. Left Directions If to the right the half file-leaders must pass through or move forwards to the right into the Front and the succeeding ranks are to follow them To reduce them Command Even files from the left double your depth to the left Or Half files face about to the left and march forth into your places Or Half files as you were 9. Command Half files double your Front to the right and left 1. Outwards 2. Inwards What I have declared in the seventh Command I do the same here However I shall demonstrate the Command by doubling outwards 1. Directions It is to be performed from the midst of the half files to the right and left into the Front To reduce this Command The odd files from the right and left flank double your depth to the right and left inward OR Halfe files face about to the right and march forth into your places 2. Directions If the command be inward then it is to be performed from the flanks of the half files marching even into the Front To reduce them Command Even files from each flank double your depth to the right and left outwards OR Half files as you were 10. Command Half files double your Front to the 1. Right 2. Left Intire Directions to the right Half files face to the right and march until they be clear of the front half files then face them to their Leader and march them up even with the Front To reduce this Command Half files face about to the right and march forth into your places OR Half ranks of the right double the depth of your left flank intire 11. Command Half files double your Front inward intire Directions Front half files face to the right and left outwards and march until they be clear of the Reer half files then face them to their Leader and stand Then let the reer half files march up even into the Front To reduce them Half files upon the intire motion face about and march Front half files face to the right and left inward and close your Divisions OR Reer half files double the depth of your Front half files intire face all to the right and left inward and close your Divisions
move down to the Reer even in breast with the last Rank If this be for service you may face them all to the Reer If only for Exercise you may reduce them as they now stand by Commanding Front half files face about to the right and advance forwards until they are clear of the standing part then face them to the right and left inwards and close your Divisions 4. Command Front half files double your Reer to the 1. Right 2. Left by Countermarch To performe this If the Command given for the left face the standing half files to the Reer and the rest Countermarch to the left and lose ground But if it be only for Exercise you need not face the standing part to the Reer at all To reduce this as being only for Exercise Command Front half files face about to the left and march forth into your places But if it be upon service that they are all faced to the Reer then all upon the Reducement are to face about to the left and the front half files to march into their places Object But Some may object here and say that this is a countermarch and no doubling and so ought not to be demonstrated in this place Answ To which I answer that what is done by the Front half files in short is a Lacedemonian Countermarch of losing ground but if it were a direct countermarch they ought not to stand mixed with any other part of the body by passing through to the Reer but only to Countermarch into the midst and there remain so that now passing through into the Reer makes it an absolute doubling What I have mentioned in the beginning of this Chapter may be sufficient to the ingenious Artist having concluded what I intended for the strengthening of the Reer I thought to have inserted here a strengthening of the Front and Reer but being in the Chapter of Wheelings Command the tenth the inquisitive may be better satisfied CHAP. VI. Which is the last in order to shew how a Battalia may be strengthened in both Flanks THe Flanks are doubled by 1. Files 2. Half ranks 3. Division 4. Wheelings 1. First by Files 1. Command Files to the Right or Left double If to the left to perform this Command Every even ranks from the left move with three steps into the odd To reduce this Command Ranks to the right double OR Files as you were In all motions observe to move that leg first to which the Command guideth 2. Command Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left double advancing To perform this if to the right Command Every even file from the right advance three steps forward and double the odd To reduce this Command Ranks to the left double OR Files as you were 3. Command Files to the right and left double outward In doubling outward the outmost File of each Flank stands and the even File each flank doubles the odd To reduce this Command Double your Ranks to the right and left inwards OR Ranks as you were 4. Command Files to the right and left double Inward To reduce this Command Double your Ranks to the right and left outwards OR Ranks as you were 5. Command Double your Ranks to the 1. Right 2. Left 1. Outwards advancing 2. Inwards This will be performed as in the third and fourth Command only instead of falling behind their right or left hand men here they are to advance before them as in the second Command 6. Command Double your Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left intire advancing To performe this to the right The even files from the right advance so far until they be clear and double the odd files to the right To reduce this Command Files that doubled face about to the left and march forth into your places OR Front half Files double your Reer to the left OR Half Files double your Front to the right 7. Command Double your files to the 1. Right or 2. Left Intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader To perfom this to the right The reducement Command Front half Files face about to the left and march forth into your places OR Front half files turn off by countermarch and double your Re ex to the right Face all to your leader 8. Command Files double your depth to the right intire To perform this Command Even files from the right face about to the right and march until they are clear of the Reer placing themselves after their bringers up then face them to their leader To reduce this Command Half files double your Front to the left OR Front half files double your Reer to the right 9. Command Files double your depth to the right placing your selves behind your bringers up To perform this Command Every even File from the right face about to the right and double the remaining files behind their bringers up To reduce this Command Bringers up double your Front to the left OR Half files double your Front to the left each placing themselves before their half file Leaders There is but a small difference between the Figures of some of the precedent Commands as some may at first sight guess them to be yet if you would but well observe them the words of Command are several and in the Battalia there is difference in the Dignity of place but not in quantity or number Secondly How the flanks are doubled by half ranks 10. Comand Half ranks of the left double your right flank to the 1. Right or 2. Left To perform this to the right Left half ranks face to the right and move to the right forward and double your right flank To reduce this Command Face to the left and march forth into your places OR Double your Ranks to the left intire You may face them at discretion I shall demonstrate another Figure to the left shewing how it may be performed without mixture of Arms c. 11. Command Half Ranks of the right double your left flank to the right To perform this Command Half ranks of the right face to the right turn off to the right and double your left flank To reduce the 11. Command Ranks double to the right intire every man placing himself on the outside of his right hand man 12. Command Half ranks double your right flank to the right and left 1. Outward 2. Inward 1. To perform this Outward Face all to the right then the left half ranks move to the right and left outwards doubling your right flank face to your Leader To reduce this Command 1. Front and Reer half files double your ranks intire to the left flank OR Half ranks that doubled face about to the right and march forth into your places OR Half ranks face about to the right and the even ranks from the midst move forth and double your left ranks intire to the left flank face to your Leader 2. To perform the 12. Command inward Face all to the right then the left
the depth of the standing files intire to the right and left inwards 2. If you face them to their proper Front then to reduce them Command The three first and the three last Ranks double your left flank intire That is The three last Ranks face about and wheel to the right and the three first Ranks wheel about to the left all moving and meet in opposition in the midst of the left flank then face them to their Leader I have ended those Doublings whose Battalia's are strengthened in the Front Reer and both Flanks Although they may not be useful at all times in the field service yet it is not amiss for every Commander to be well grounded in the knowledge of them that by his experience therein he may not be silent when occasion serveth nor the Souldier seeking what to do when he may be commanded They are so necessary that some are delightful in private Exercises and most of them profitable in Field or Garrison I am sure the Ingenious if once experienced herein will confess them to be of such absolute necessity as not in the least to be slighted by any And further it is adjudged to be most convenient for all the Chief Officers to bend their thoughts before the time of Service to make their Commands as short as possible may be in order to which see Chapt. 8. and 11. I do declare that I have heard some of our late young Eltonists to be too tedious in their Commands and Reducements I shall advise the young Souldier to follow the Rules of Barriffe Ward Bingham and Hexham for there is in them enough to direct for most Services and then they may peruse Elton at last whose worth as I have been informed is not to be laid in the dust without the due respects belonging to a Souldier and I hope now a Loyal Subject CHAP. XI YOu may perceive in those several Commands for the strengthening of the Flanks and their Figures being produced and have closed some of their Files as occasion may offer it self they are one and the same in Number but not in Place As in the 8. Chapter I have also in this set down the several Commands that produce one and the same Figure yet the Commands are distinct and several all which if the Officer please to endeavour the remembring of How that such and such Commands will produce such a Figure he may in the hottest disputes take the shortest Commands to expedite his motions having respect to his Ground for the execution of them 1. Files to the right double Command 1. Produceth one and the same Figure Files to the right double advancing Comm. 2. Files to the right and left double 1. Outward 2. Inward Comm. 3. and 4. Double your Ranks to the right and left 1. Outward advancing 2. Inward advancing Comm. 5. Double your Files to the right intire advancing Comm. 6. Double your Files to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Comm. 7. Files double your depth to the right intire Comm. 8. Files double your depth to the right placing your selves behind your Bringers-up Comm. 9. Double your Files to the right and left by Division Com. 17. 2. Half Ranks of the left double your right flank to the right Com. 11. Produceth one and the same Figure Half Ranks double your right flank to the right and left outwards  3. Half Ranks double your right flank by turning off to the right Com. 11. Produceth one and the same Figure Pag. Command 16. Half Ranks to the right by countermarch double your left flank Com. 13. Left half flanks double your right flank to the right and left by countermarch 1. Outward 2. Inward Com. 14. Left half Ranks wheel and double your right flank to the right intire Com. 18. Left half Ranks wheel off to the right and left and double your right flank by Division Com. 20. Left half Ranks double your right flank intire advancing Com. 15. These Figures are much alike only the change of Ground Left half Ranks double intire the depth of your right flank Com. 16. A very good Figure is produced by the. Com. 17.  Wheeling Front and Reer into the right flank Com. 19. This being an accidental Front is the same Figure with the 5.10 and 15. Command for the strengthening of the proper Front by the doubling of Ranks CHAP. XII I Shall now treat of that which is called in a more particular manner Inversion and Conversion shewing you what is meant by them And the nature and use of those several Commands most in practice belonging to each of them 1. Inversion produceth a File or Files That is either by Files filing or Ranks filing 2. Conversion produceth a Rank or Ranks That is either By increase of File ranking by Even or Vneven Parts Of Ranks ranking to the Right or Left Of Ranks wheeling to the Right or Left Flank Observe That in the performance of most of these Works there must be either a double or twice double distance of Ground But it must be the Commanders care so to open his Ranks or Files at such distances as the quantity of Ground will give leave I shall not demonstrate the Commands in the same method as I have the Doublings for the strengthening of the Front but shall insist in that method already set down because I find the reception hereof to be somewhat of difficulty with some of our Rural Officers First Inversion of files or tiles filing in sequence Secondly Files filing by countermarch 1. Command Files file to the 1. Right 2. Left To perform this to the right Command The right hand file to march away single clear of the body then the File leader of the next File is to fall in after the bringer up of the first File and so all the rest until the whole Body become one single file To reduce this Command File leaders lead up you Files to to the left OR Files file six to the left 2. Command Files file to the Right or Left intire advancing To perform this to the right The right hand file stand the second from the right advanceth into the Front of the first the third into the Front of the second and the rest successively into the Front of each other until they may be made one direct file To reduce this Command Face all about to the right Files file six to the right into the Reer OR As they stand without facing Command File six to the right gathering towards the Front 3. Command Files file inward into the right Flank To perform this Command Half files face about then file leader and bringer up of the left flank advance forward and each file of the half files from the left are to fall successively into the Reer of each file until they have made one intire then face them to their leader To reduce them Command Reer half files face about to the left Front half files file three
to the left and the Reer half files file three to the right Face all to your leader and close your divisions 4. Command Files file to the right and left by Division To perform this Command The file leaders of each flank march away with your files until they are clear of the Body then the next file leaders from the right and left are to fall in after the bringers up of the first moveants until the Body become two files upon each wing To reduce them Command File leaders lead up your files to the right and left OR Files file six to the right and left 5. Command Files file inward into the right and left flank by Division Figure 5. You may the better understand this by the directions for the third Command But To perform this Command Half files face about then file leaders and bringers up of each file both from the right and left and fall successively into the reer of each other until they have made two intire files on each flank Face to your leader To reduce this Command Reer half files face about to the right Front and Reer half files file three to the right and left inwards Face to your leader and close your Divisions 6. Command Files by countermarch file to the right every man placing himself in the reer of the right hand file Figure 6. To perform this Command The right hand file stand the rest of the Body face about to the left then every particular file march forward to the left and place themselves behind the bringers up of the right hand file To reduce this Command Files file fix to the left each placeing themselves before their leader 7. Command Files by countermarch file to the right by division each placing himself before his leader and bringer up To perform this Command Reer half files face about the right hand file is to keep his ground the rest moving forwards to the right placing themselves before their File leaders and Bringers up To reduce this Command Front half file â—â—ce about and file three to the right every man placing himself before his bringer up And the Reer half files file three to the left placing your selves before your leaders I have with as much brevity as conveniently I could set forth by demonstration the first part of Inversion which is of Files filing I proceed to the second part of Inversion which is of Ranks siling For the performance of which observe that in all these motions your files are to be at their Order or otherwise as may be thought most convenient and their Ranks to be opened either forwards or backwards at the discretion of the Commander but at twice double distance or more as may be required to his number of men The distances being set let every rank move according to Command 8. Command Ranks file to the right placing your selves before your right hand man To perform this Command The right hand man of each rank is to stand the rest are to move forwards with their right leg and so place themselves before their right hand men 8. Figure Te reduce them Command Files rank twelve to the left OR Ranks as you were Observe Ranks filing are sooner executed in the commands and reducements than files filing For they will sooner be in readiness to receive any opposition with a suteable resistance in the Front for in files filing it will be some long time before the file leaders will be able to do it 9. Command Ranks file to the right placing your selves behind your right hand men To perform this Direct If they be upon a stand they may open backwards to their distance for the work as by example But if they be upon a march then the right hand man marcheth first and all his rank so facing as to march to the right file-wise after their leader The right hand man of the second rank is so to do and fall in the reer of the left hand man of the first Rank To reduce this Command Files rank twelve to the left OR Ranks as you were Aelian Tact. Ch. 30. p. 6. 10. Command Ranks file to the right and left by Division The two former are directions enough for this And may also be performed with the two former either before their right hand men or otherwise To reduce this Command Files convert into Ranks as you were OR Files Rank to the right and left inward as you were OR Files rank twelve to the right and left inward This Figure as by the Notes of Captain Bingham hath been of great use amongst the Graecians and judged by our ingenious Artists not to be slighted by us for the avoydance of the great Ordinance or showers of small shot In Cities I have seen it often used for lodging of the Colours It is also a large Interval for the reception of any Honourable Person Some may dislike in this last Inversion of Ranks filing because there is a promiscuous mixture of Arms This may be easily prevented by bringing both Divisions of Musquetteers into the Front of Pikes or otherwise upon a march at the discretion of the Commander There yet remain divers words of Command of Ranks filing Vide Conversion By wheeling your Ranks into the right Flank or into both Flanks c. But the prolixity of them have made me to abbreviate and being more out of curiosity than of necessity I have shewed what is meant by Inversion both in Files and Ranks and have demonstrated them by their Figures so many as I conceive may be sufficient for the knowledge thereof Many I have heard to use the word Inversion to some of the precedent Commands but I think it very convenient to be left out in the Exercisings of our Rural Militia's It is a word not suitable to a Rustick capacity and a word that may be spared CHAP. XIII Of Conversion and the several Parts thereof COnversion I have declared to consist of a Rank or Ranks And that is performed either by 1. Increase of Files ranking by Even or Vneven Parts 2. Increase or decrease of Files ranking by uneven Parts 3. Files ranking intire into the Front and wheeling into the same 4. Ranks ranking to the right or left 5. Wheeling into both Flanks And of these I shall declare unto you as briefly as I may that your delight in the true understanding of them may not be neglected by the least obscurity Now the reason that I have demonstrated most with Figures is that the young Souldier may see how many Commands produce one and the same Figure their difference being only in quality and not in quantity 1. I shall begin with Files ranking by even parts that is when they rank two three or four keeping the same number in Rank all being in an equal proportion and if more what is wanting to make up the Ranks in the Command must be made good by the next Rank 1. Command Files rank three to the right Observe
may at one and the same time charge either in the Front or Reer in Front and Reer also in Front Reer and Flank and of these I shall demonstrate some that I at first learnt and some amongst others that are most convenient to be learnt Now that the Souldier might be expert in his firings against the Enemy let him be often exercised with firings only in the pan falling off and on as shall be Commanded All which being well performed by the Musquetteers is a full accomplishment of what hath been before taught him by which the Commander shall be credited and the Souldier preferred to his merit Of firing by forlorne files 1. That which is to be used in our modern exercise is two manner of wayes the two outmost files of each flank of Musquetteers to march with two Serjeants so far as shall be commanded and there to stand and the foremost ranks are to give fire and to fall into the Reer of themselves either by wheeling off to the right or to the right and left Then let the remaining do the like and fall into their places Those that have fired are to fall off on the inside of the Musquetteers between them and the Pikes and as they are thus trooping back after firing to their places the rest are in like manner to move away and fire and fall in next the Pikes 2. Accordingly as you draw out two files so you may draw out more files to the number of Musquetteers and so to fire and fall into the Reer of themselves and places c. 3. You may move them all clear of the Pikes and let them open from the midst leaving sufficient Intervals for their wheelings in the Reer of themselves and then to place themselves even with their Pikes the second having fired as before place themselves in the Reer of the first division c. 4. Advance the two outmost files by the Serjeants who are to lead them to the place for execution as by order received Commanding 1. Files to rank inward to present and give fire all together 2. You may rank inward two Files or more and fire as before And having fired are to wheel off to the right and left by their respective file leaders placing themselves next the Pikes I proceed to a second way of firing and that is by Ranks First By advancing before the Front Secondly firing even with the Front Thirdly firing even with the half files Advancing before the Front may be performed by advancing of single ranks and so firing in the Front or by advancing of both flanks into the Front before the Pikes and so to fire by single ranks Which is performed by Commanding Demyhearse 5. Pikes stand Musquetteers move forward and place your selves before in the Front of your Pikes and close your Divisions I mention nothing to tye up the hand of the ingenious to any stinted form whose ablities may command his figures at pleasure Observe that when the forlorn files or Ranks march out they are to give fire as upon a retreit that is to stand and fire and wheel off that their followers may do the like unless the Enemy give ground And when the two last ranks were presented the next two ranks must be ready to march forward being fixed to present and give fire also Thus having fired in the Front by one single Rank or more they are by wheeling off to place themselves in the Reer of their own divisions before the Pikes the rest doing the like until they have all fired round A second way of firing by this figure shall be a reducement to it First The Frontiers having performed their firing are to wheel off by division until they come down so low as to be even to the first ranks of Pikes and so to rank even a breast All the Musquetteers are so to do successively and flank themselves even with the Pikes 6. Ranks advancing from the Front of a standing Battalia A Serjeant from each Flank leading up the two formost Ranks according to order the first Rank is to give fire wheel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own divisions the second in order is to execute the same with speed being not above three foot distance from the first being ready with his Musquett palm'd his Cock bent and Muzzel mounted so to Present and give fire and so to wheel off and place themselves as their Leaders had done before them 7. Ranks firing even with the Front The first Rank having fired and wheeled off placing themselves in the Reer of their Divisions the next ranks are to move forwards at three motions into their places making good their leaders ground and there to present and give fire wheeling off and placing themselves as by the former directions By the way you must observe if the body be upon a march the Pikes must be shouldered and when they come to charge they are to close forward at their close order It is presupposed ere one firing or two be performed or past over the bodies are almost close Then the Pikes are to be at their Port and at length to be at their absolute Charge and push home and being so near they may do great execution with their Musquets firing upon the half files of Pikes as if they were even with the Front Which brings me to 8. Ranks firing even with the half files When the Pikes are charging then the musquetteers may perform this who are to advance no further than the half files of Pikes and there you may either fire one Rank or more at the discretion of the Commander and as soon as every Rank hath fired successively they are to wheel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own leaders When the firing is ended and each Souldier in his proper place the Musquetteers marching up even in breast with the Front of Pikes they are reduced But in this firing the Musquetteers are to make good their leaders ground except it be upon a retreit then they are to fire upon the same ground and to wheel off that their followers may doe the like unless the Enemy give ground Horn. Bat. 9. Command Pikes stand Musquetteers march until the bringers up rank even with the Front You may in this as with some of the former fire two Ranks ten paces advanced before the Front and so whel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own files OR Secondly let the first Rank of Musquetteers present and give fire and wheel off to the right and left placing themselves in the Reer of their own files then the second Rank firing are to advance into their leaders place firing and wheeling off in the same manner and so they are all successively to do the like Then Thirdly when they have all given fire let them begin again and the file leaders having fired they are to wheel off to the right and left flank themselves even with the Pikes the second Rank
than for publick Service 5. Command Give fire to the right and place your selves even in Front with the Pikes marching up between the midst of the Pikes Observe in the performance hereof the Pikes as they march are to open to the right and left and the fired Musquetteers are to be lead up according to Command To reduce this Command 1. Pikes to face inwards 2. Musquetteers face to the right and left outwards 3. Pass all through and interchange Ground 4. Face to your Leader 6. Command Musquetteers give fire to the right placing your selves on the outside of the left Flank of Pikes If you will reduce this without any firing you may Command the right half Ranks to pass through your Ranks of Pikes The Ingenious may find many ways for the Reducement Or when all the Musquetteers are on the left flank you may fire them over again and they are reduced 7. Command Musquetteers give fire to the right and to the Reer placing your selves between the Pikes and your own Divisions Having placed your left flank of Musquetteers in the Reer A useful firing then Command The outmost file upon the right flank are to face to the right and the last rank of Musquetteers in the Reer are to face about and both are to present and give fire together and having fired the outermost file upon the right hand faceth to the left and marcheth after their Leader in the interval between the Musquets and the Pikes They are to march a reasonable pace and the rank fired in the Reer is to wheel to the right placing it self in the Reer of Pikes c. This is easily reduced by commanding the Musquetteers to draw off into the left flank again Observe that flank that is farthest from the Enemy ought to be drawn into the Reer 8. Command Musquetteers give fire to both Flanks marching and place your selves between the Pikes and your own Divisions To perform this the outermost file of each flank presents outward 9. Command The Body standing Advance your Pikes Musquetteers and Pikes face to the right and left Musquetteers present and give fire to both flanks and flank your Pikes The outermost file upon the right and left flank presents and fires wheeling off by Division ranking or flanking the Pikes as they stand faced leaving such a distance as the rest may securely follow them every rank is to fire upon the same Ground and wheel off by Division after the same manner From this Figure as they will stand after firing there may be produced a great many brave Figures but now I must leave them to the skilful Artist To reduce this Command The Musquetteers to march all until they are clear of the Pikes then face them to the right and left inwards and close their Divisions and face them to their Leader 10. Command Because it may easily be produced from the precedent Figure it shall be from the first Figure of firing in the Front and Reer Chap. 19. the Body being faced to the right and left will be a firing to both Flanks 11. Command Shall be a firing to right Flank and to the Front and Reer Left half Ranks double your right Flank by Division You may face the Divisions any way which you intend for their firing After firing they are to wheel off into their own Divisions every Rank moving into his Leaders Ground To reduce them face them to their proper Front then Command half Ranks that doubled face to the left and so march into your places See the doubling of Flanks Figure 17. CHAP. XXI Of several Divisional Firings I Might here make mention of a great many Figures for firings some serviceable and others not but all left to the judicious for censure and to make use of the best yet none useless for delight or Garden Exercises The Figures cannot be perfect because I am tied to the exercise but of twelve Files four of them Pikes and eight Musquetteers it being a Number that our Western Commanders can make use of and no more yet any who may be capable to perform them will be able to invent others and command the production of such like in geater Numbers and with better delight 1. Command The two outmost Files upon each Flank stand the two inmost half Ranks of the Reer face about to the right the two inmost half Ranks both of Front and Reer march until you are clear of the Body of Pikes then half Files rank to the right and left inwards by wheeling into the Front For the Pikes open them to the right and left from the midst then Command the right and left hand File of Pikes to stand the Reer half Files of the remainder face about to the right then both half Files rank to the right and left inward into the Front and Reer This Figure in great Bodies must be performed otherways and may be very serviceable against the Horse the Pikes may advance into the Front of Musquetteers to secure them against the Horses fury if occasion shall serve After their first firing and wheeling off to the right and left in the Reer of their own Divisions then when the Pikes are defending them from the Horse let them fire over the Pikes This being done pass through the Musquetteers before the several Fronts of Pikes as they were before any firing To reduce them Command Face the Front and Reer to the right and left inwards The Front and Reer Ranks of Pikes file to the right and left inwards the right and left hand files of Pikes close to the right and left inwards and close all to the midst Then Command the Front and Reer Ranks of Musquetteers file to the right and left inward face in opposition and march into your places closing the whole Body to their close Order and open them again to their Order Evening of their Ranks and streightning of their Files they are reduced 2. Command and Direction Musquetteers open six foot to the right and left Front half Files of the right Flank of Musquetteers Advance intire into the Front of Pikes The Reer Division of the left Flank of Musquetteers face about to the right and double intire the Reer of the Pikes The Front Division of Musquetteers of the left face about to the right and march even in breast with the Reer half Files of Pikes The Front half Files of Pikes face to the right and left outwards and march until you are clear c. Face them to their Leader To reduce them The Front Division of Musquetteers face to the right and march into your places Reer Division of Musquetteers face to the left and march forth into your places Front half Files of Pikes face in opposition and close your Divisions The left flank of Musquetteers advance even with the Front of Pikes Musquetteers close to the right and left inward and face them to their Leader And they are reduced 3. Command Front half Files face to the right and left
and march clear of your Reer half Files Face them to their Leader and march them until their Reer be even in Front with their Pikes The two first Ranks of each Division face to the right and left and march them clear of their own Divisions face them to their Leader The four first Ranks of Pikes open to your open Order and double your Ranks to the right the two last Ranks of Pikes face about to the right and march clear of the Reer of Musquetteers Face to your Leader To reduce them Command The first Body of Pikes to double their Files to the left the two last Ranks of Pikes march and close your Divisions The two first Ranks of Musquetteers face in opposition and close your Divisions Then the Front Divisions of Musquetteers face to the right and left inwards and march even to the Front of Pikes then face them to their right and left and close their Divisions Face them to their Leader evening their Ranks and streightning of their Files they are reduced 4. Command Front half files march clear from your Musquetteers The Reer half files of Musquetteers face about to the right and march clear of your Pikes and face to your leader The Reducement The Front Division of Pikes face about to the right and march into your places the Reer Division of Musquetteers march up into your places 5. Command Wheel both your Flanks of Musquetteers into the Front both flanks of Musquetteers open to the right and left Front division of Pikes march clear of the Front of Musquetteers and open to the right and left until you are clear of the Angles of the Reer half files The two inmost files of Musquetteers march until you are clear of the Front of Pikes The next two inmost files of Musquetteers face in opposition march and close your divisions in the Front of the Reer division of Pikes face all to your leader To reduce this The four middle files of Musquetteers face to the right and left and march into your places The files of Musquetteers in the Front face about to the right march into your places Face them to their leader The Front half files of Pikes face in opposition and close your divisions facing them to the Reer and march them into their places then close the Front of Musquetteers as at first and wheel the Front into your flanks c. they are reduced The two next figures are almost one and the same and with but a little alteration in their Commands they may be either produced or reduced 6. Command Pikes stand The Reer half files of Musquetteers face about to the right Musquetteers march all until you are clear both of your Front and Reer of Pikes face in opposition and close your divisions The four inmost Ranks of Musquetteers march clear of the remainder both in Front and Reer The two last Ranks of Pikes stand the rest to the right and left by division march clear of the Musquetteers and wheel to the right and left outwards Directions for firing upon this or others I must leave to the ingenious wishing the unskilful to fire only as the Figure lyeth lest it may prove trouble to them to reduce The Reducement The two ranks upon the flanks wheel to the right and left inwards and march into your places Front and Reer Musquetteers face about to the right and march forth into your places provided they are faced to the Reer only then the Front Musquetteers are to face about Then Musquetteers face to the right and left outwards and march clear of the Pikes face in opposition and close your divisions and face all to their leader they are reduced It is but marching up of the two last ranks of Pikes into the Reer of the Front division of Musquetteers and the Musquetteers even to the Reer of the Pikes which produceth this next figure 7. Command Half files double your Front to the right the two outmost files of Musquetteers of each flank march ten paces direct and stand The two next files of Musquetteers of each flank march to the Reer of the first and the two next Ranks in the Reer of the second until they are clear of the Front of the battel And thus is this figure produced Or by Commanding The two outmost in each flank to stand the rest of the Body face about to the right and march and so leaving the two outmost files in the Reer of the first and the third in the Reer of the second and the remainder of the Body in the Reer of the third facing all to their proper Front To reduce them Command Musquetteers face about to the right and march into your places Then half files that doubled face about to the right and march forth into your places Or Even files from the left double your files to the left 8. Command Half files double your Front to the right intire then command the two outmost files of Musquetteers of each Flank to march until they are clear of the Front and stand the four inmost files march until they are clear of the Battels also and stand To reduce them Musquetteers face about to the right and march forth into your places Then half ranks of the right double the depth of your left flank intire 9. Command Pikes march clear of your body Pikes wheel your flanks into the Reer Musquetteers close to the right and left inward Half files of Musquetteers double your Front to the right The four innermost files of Musquetteers face about to the right march clear of the Reer even your Ranks and streighten your files both of Pikes and Musquetts Then the four innermost files both of Pikes and Musquetteers march ten paces direct Then Pikes and Musquetteers of each Flank face to the right and left and march ten paces facing them to their leader To reduce this Command The front division of Pikes and Musquetteers face about to the right and march even in breast with the Reer of Musquetteers of each flank Then face the division to the right and left inwards and close your divisions then Command the Musquetteers to open to the right and left from the midst and the Reer divisions of Musquetteers march into the intervails or into your places as you were Then Command the Pikes to wheel their flanks into the Front then open the divisions of Musquetteers to the right and left facing the Pikes about to the right and march into their places so facing of them to their Leader they are reduced I might have added more as the Plinthium Battel For which and more read Captain Bingham Chap. 42. pa. 55. as also Barrif Ward And Elton as I am informed has written at large but I never saw his works CHAP. XXII IT may be expected I should treat also of large Battalias or great numbers of men demonstrating of them likewise by their several Plat-forms But having my Number proportioned as you see by my several exercises
Souldiers The Captain leading them out of the field and coming near the place intended to lodge his Colours Converts the ranks of Musquetteers of both divisions to the right and left outwards and joyns them and being so fixed the body of Pikes stand in the reer and the Ensign in the head of them the Captain before the Colours with the Drums and Serjants guarding the Colours on each side and the Lieutenant behind the Ensign bearer and all being advanced shall troop up with the Colours furl'd to his lodging or quarters and as he approacheth thereto he shall with a bow to his Captain carry in his Colours then the word shall be given to all the Musquetteers to make ready that being done they shall all present and upon the beat of Drum or other word of command give one intire Volley and then command every Officer to go to their quarters and to be in readiness upon the next summons either by Drum or Command It may fall out that time will not permit this large circumstance then the whole company being drawn up in a body shall troop up to the place where the Ensign shall quarter to see the colours safely lodg'd which being effected the Musquetteers shall with one intire Volley discharge their Musquets and so depart to their respective quarters commanding all upon the next summons to be in readiness c. And I might here adde the funeral posture if for a private souldier the Ensign-bearer is to march in his place on the head of the Pikes with the Pikes trailing revers'd but the Colours furl'd and revers'd only But if it be a commander that is to be interred he is then to march just before the Hearse with his Colours revers'd c. If I have writ any thing amiss or omitted any thing as may prejudice the honour of the Ensign I beg your better advice for it was in the years 1641. and 1642. that I minded any of these military actions therefore for any error herein let the length of time plead my excuse However I could wish that every Ensign would but observe these rules he would then the better know his own worth and what duty lieth incumbent upon him and being careful in the performance of them his own honour will be displayed in his Colours Sir Francis Vear's notes of Direction how far every mans office in a Regiment doth extend and the duty of every Officer 1. The Office of a Collonel 1. EVery Colonel is to command all his Officers Captains and other And all Souldiers and men of War of what degree soever they be that do put themselves or are by superior authority put and ranked under his Regiment are all to respect his commands and obey him as fully as they would the chiefest 2. Also He shall see all orders commands and directions which are delivered him by the publick officers of the Army for Guards Watchings or any thing else for matter of justice or for ordering of the Troops executed Furthermore If he himself find any mutiny or discontented humours tending to mutiny or extream outrages or disorders or shall by any of his Captains Officers or Souldiers be informed of any such he shall forthwith advertise the Generals And if he find any other fault negligence or swerving from either directions given or the policy of the Army set down he shall straightway acquaint them by whom such directions did come or were brought unto him or some other superiour Officer if he can conveniently acquaint them with it and shall produce the party so offending with the Witnesses and Proofs that order may be given forthwith and justice done and if he fail to give this information of any thing he knows or hears he shall be deeply faulty Or if any such thing pass without his knowledge he shall be thought of worse Government than were fit for a man of his place and charge 3. Also In Lodging every Colonel ought to lodge as near as he can in the midst of the quarter assigned for the Regiment because he may best give directions for the whole 4. In marching he shall be at the end of the Regiment that is nearest the Enemy that is to say in the head of a Regiment going towards an Enemy and in the rereguard going from the Enemy and he shall not go from thence except it be for ordering of his Regiment or some extraordinary occasions 5. Once every week the Colonel shall call together all his Captains and shall enquire of all offences in his Regiment and examine the nature and quality of such offences to prepare the causes for a more speedy hearing in a Court Martial 6. All Colonels shall repair to a Court Martial as often as they shall be warn'd and shall be assistant to the Lord Martial in the causes that shall be there in question or belonging to the justice of the Army 2. The Office of a Lieutenant Collonel 1. The Lieutenant-Colonel when the Colonel is in presence is to assist and obey him in seeing all the directions that are delivered by any publick Officer or such as shall be within the Authority of a Colonel to command executed And in the absence of the Colonel he shall have the command that the Colonel hath himself 2. He is to lodge ever on the right hand of his Colonels lodging as near to the end of the quarter as conveniently he may 3. In marching or imbattailing Read Markham's decads fo 146. and Ward fo 200. whensoever the Colonel is in the head of the Regiment he shall be in the reer and when the Colonel shall be in the rereward he shall be in the head 3. Of the Office of a Serjant-Major 2. He shall in the presence of his Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel be assistant to them or either of them in seeing all orders and directions executed and performed and in the absence of them both to have the same authority as the Colonel himself He shall lodge on the left hand of the Colonel as near the end of the quarter as may be with conveniency 2. In marching or imbattailing he shall keep as near the end of the Regiment as he can sometimes on the side that so he may overlook the order of the March. 3. He shall come to the Serjant-Major-General to receive the word from him if there be no extraordinary cause to hinder him And when he hath received the word he shall deliver the word over to the Serjants of every company in the Regiment who are to come to him for it 4. As he doth receive directions for marching imbattailing and placing of guards from the Major-General so he is to deliver the fame to the Captains of the Regiment and call those to whom it doth pertain and see them executed 5. Every night he is to visit all the guards of that Regiment and to keep turn of Watches marches and going to the Wars or sending Troops or companies upon service to the end that both the
and set down a certainty which we intend to pursue so in this matter of War are some points so difficult as may minister occasion and question of long debate unless those controversies be commended to men of stayed and approved Judgment who are not carried away with corrupt and common opinion but advised and perswaded by the greater strength of reason confirmed by experience and presidents of the like examples And by the way give me leave to declare my opinion that no man can set down in writing a rule or method precisely to be observed in War the same being rather to be printed by a long practice and experience in a Souldiers breast to be executed as time matter and place may minister that upon the accident of any in which there may be then required a new form and order to be used accordingly It is held for a maxime That a Prince cannot any way more dangerously hazard his Realm and Country than by giving an Invader Battel at his first landing as hath been heretofore an usual custome And since it is amongst things of the greatest importance that may concern a Prince and his kingdom a people their liberty and goods it is to be considered and resolved upon before-hand by what means an Army Royal coming to invaid and conquer might be best prevented and defeated The accustomed Order hath been by firing of the Beacons to put the Shire in Arms Short answers to the old accustomed Orders and presently all the forces to repair to the landing place and these without delay to give them battel But because there are other opinions the reasons of each opinion shall be set down and then a resolve with submission to better Judgments shall follow Such as hold or maintain this old accustomed order alledge besides the good success that many times it hath taken in reason also it is the best dealing with the Enemy at his landing before he hath firm footing and before he shall have leisure to rank his men in due order of battel and before he shall be able to land his Ordnance Horse and Carriages It might be so if the Enemy would acquaint you before where he would land and that a very few men thus in time shall be able to give greater annoyance and do greater service upon the Enemy than ten times so many when the Enemy is landed and setled in strength and order with all his Horse Ordnance and Carriages They also adde these reasons ensuing for confirmation of their custome The Reasons First The greater fury the lesser reason therefore to be suppressed in an Army as a breach of Order and not to be inflamed The fury of the Countrey upon the first firing of the Beacons is great every man pro aris focis violently running down to the Sea side to repel the disordered Enemy at the first confused landing which fury if suffered to grow cold we shall not so easily inflame again Secondly While the Enemy is landing He is a silly Invader that upon a difficulty will make a retreit if he find any difficulty or danger being in boats they are ready to retire to their ships again But if they be once landed with their Artillery c. it is not then possible for them to retire to their Ships again without extream danger of their lives upon the retreit and the dishonourable loss of their Munition c. And therefore necessity compelling them to fight and all hope of escape by flight being then taken away from them they become ten times more dangerous Enemies to deal withall than before Thirdly Every man knoweth what great advantage they have It is no great difficulty to land men both strongly and orderly that have a firm footing on land to encounter an Enemy that must land out of boats in confused stragling manner and therefore ever and speedily will go to enjoy the benefit of this advantage whereas if we suffer the Enemy to land and put himself in Military order he becometh more terrible unto us Fourthly It is not the fight of the Enemy which will cause them to discover themselves but his prosperous success upon the first combat which for that respect is to be avoided There is in this Realm as in all States divided in Religion no small number of Trayterous minds who having time to confer and seeing an enemy of force then landed may and then will discover their Malice which on the suddain they dare not nor cannot Another Opinion Some others hold this old custome of running to the Sea side to be but a barbarous custome void of Order and Warlike Discipline very perillous to our selves not hurtful to the Enemy but rather a means to lose all and therefore wish by special Command that order of repair to the Sea side be restrained and the Enemy suffered to land quietly Suffered to land quietly because the Enemy would land whether you would or no. and in the mean time to drive and carry away all Cattel Victuals Forrage Carriages c. and certain places of Randesvouze appointed some distance from the Sea side from whence they may march in a Warlike manner and Order and so by carrying away all victuals and fortifying of Streights and Passages to weary the Enemy in time The Reasons of the Second Opinion First It is said the invading Enemy bringeth a select Company of Disciplin'd and well train'd Souldiers whom we seek to encounter with a confused multitude of men untrain'd in which match there is no comparison but loss certain Secondly It is said an Enemy of force meaning to land will do it in despight of us and then the Countrey offering to repel them and finding themselves not able grow much more fearful than if quietly without resistance we had suffered the Enemy to land Thirdly Where we suffer the Enemy to land we may drive away all provision and Cattel further into the Countrey and then maintain streights and passages well fenced and fortified so as the Enemy shall be enforced to approach us upon our own strengths and fortifications to his great peril and danger Fourthly They say in this manner we keeping Victuals from him by land and his Majesties Navy also in the mean time keeping the Seas the Enemy for want of Victuals only shall be forced to retire and glad to withdraw himself if he can Further It is alledged how doubtful a thing Battel is and how dangerous a thing for a King to commit his Crown upon it and therefore is that temporizing course extolled These are thought most effectual reasons to impugn the speedy repair to the Sea side and to maintain the other Opinion for suffering the Enemy to land quietly and by driving and carrying away Victuals and forrage and fortifying the streights and passages by time and famine to weary the Enemy But having weighed the reasons on both sides and by experience of former invasions examining the success and sequel of the like